Level Up! : Influencing Faith Driven FriendshipsНамуна

Level Up!

In a world who's attentions fall on influencers of every genre, the greatest influence in our lives must be Jesus! He should be shaping our convictions, our perspectives and our relationships. Christian friendships are so distinctive because they promote something higher than social enjoyment or acceptance. Faith driven friendships point to purpose that only Jesus  can satisfy.

Whether we are hoping to witness to those who do not know Christ or we are desiring to continually encourage our Christian friends to pursue more of Jesus, God desires to use our friendships in a way that leads people in deeper relationship with HIm.  Intentionality, transparency and accountability are all areas that we need to level up in the relationships around us as we cultivate our internal relationship with Christ. Below are five faith-filled ways that we can level up our influence as friends who point to Jesus in all the relationships that God has entrusted to us. 

1. Faith Driven Friendships Produce God's Joy

Of all the joys in life, the love of Christ is the greatest! Since we were all made for Him, we can use the influence of our friendships to  direct hearts and lives to Him. As He begins to mold hearts and minds within us and around us, we will begin to enjoy our friends more as we enjoy God's love, together!

2. Faith Driven Friendships Help Us Grow

We need to be friends who lovingly denounce sin, pray for repentance and encourage obedience. This is an essential part of Christian community that few people want in our generation. It's easy to focus our friendships on easy laughs and common interests, but if we are to truly make impacts that influence spiritual growth, we must be willing to reject the false grace of excusing sin in our own lives and in the lives of those we call friends. A good friend is not someone who ignores wrong; they are people who point us to holiness because only the righteous will see God (Hebrews 12:14). 

3. Faith Driven Friendships Cheer Us On

Flattery, platitudes and superficial inspiration is a tactic the world uses, not to edify others, but to edify self. Faith driven friendships spur us on to do good works for the name of Christ, not our own personal interest. As we use our influence to cheer each other on, we can elevate our relationships from empty promises and into courage to live and love like Jesus in authentic ways. We can better affirm and support the plans and purpose God has for them and cheer them on as they grow in relationship with their Lord and Savior. If our hearts are sincere to deepen faith in our friendships, the Holy Spirit will use our love and relationships to motivate and strengthen us all to continuously pursue the specific mission He has purposed for us. 

4. Faith Driven Friendships Battle Together

Belief equips us for battle and sometimes, the greatest gift we can give our friends is to believe with them or to believe for them. We are living in a world that is running in the direct opposite of God's Word. It looks easier, more glamorous, more gratifying and more rewarding than the dying-to-self lifestyle that Christ has called us to. Sometimes, we get weary of well doing, so we need to be the friends who battle with our friends by reminding them that God's Word is true, that His love never fails and that there is a Heavenly reward waiting for those who run their race of faith (James 1:12). 

5. Faith Driven Friendships Love Us To the Glory of God

As we share God's love, it's important to remember that our love will never be enough. Faith driven friendships do not position themselves to be the resource, but rather a resource. The world’s interpretation of relationship is to create communities where we are dependent on others for our source of love, belonging and happiness, but as Christians, we need to be declaring the significance and substantial value of a relationship with Christ. This relationship must supersede all others.  

When our friendships become centered on the love of Christ and His glory, the relationships that mean so much to us will begin to thrive. You have been called to be a light, an influence and a Gospel proclaimer! This is the mission set before every believer and God has equipped you to pursue this in your friendships! When we obey Him, we level up in every area, including the influence we have in our relationships, our community and within the body of Christ.