friendship

Forgiven People Forgive

Dr. Mike 2023 , ,

Colossians 3:13

“…bearing with one another and, if one has a complaint against another, forgiving each other; as the Lord has forgiven you, so you also must forgive.“

Luke 7:47

“Therefore I tell you, her sins, which are many, are forgiven—for she loved much. But he who is forgiven little, loves little.”

Friendship is a two-way street. One gives and the other reciprocates. Both enjoy the relationship and hanging out with each other.

Generally speaking, men associate with others who have similar interests. Women are more complicated and share time with others who have similar characteristics. Generally speaking. What we can agree on is both sexes desire meaningful relationships.

One of the attributes of friendship is the ability to forgive each other. Friends forgive friends. Without forgiveness, relationships breakup.

Our relationship with Jesus began with Him first forgiving us. He demonstrated His love by forgiving us in word and action. He continues to forgive as the relationship grows. As He pours out His love upon us, one cannot help but share His love with others.

As He forgives us, we forgive others. As He has forgiven me, I forgive you. Forgiven people forgive others.

The act of forgiveness is a with-God way of life. God forgives constantly. His way of always keeping the door open for the relationship to grow. God forgives us. We forgive others. Others forgive those in their life. The process continues.

Since God forgives me, I also forgive myself. I may think the self is unworthy of forgiveness, and be right. But God doesn’t. And that is what makes the difference. The God-Man sacrificed His life for me. No matter my actions or heart or thoughts, He forgave me. He determines my worth. Forgiven people forgive.  

As I forgive others, like God has forgiven me, I find myself free to love. I am not bound in chains of vengeance. I am freed from victimhood. Resentment dissipates into sorriness for the other. My prayer is for the other to come know the Triune God and experience the same freedom of grace.

Imagine a world where every person automatically forgave themselves and others. Isn’t this the Kingdom of God in action? Forgiven people forgiving those who don’t deserve to be forgiven. Must be a God thing.

  Rooting For You in Christ!

Dr. Mike

Faith-Integrator, Encourager, Scribbler

“We continually ask God to fill you with the knowledge of his will through all the wisdom and understanding that the Spirit gives,” (Colossians 1:9)

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Friendship Trap

Dr. Mike 2022 , , ,

James 4:4

You adulterous people! Do you not know that friendship with the world is enmity with God? Therefore, whoever wishes to be a friend of the world makes himself an enemy of God.

Good friends are hard to find and maintain. If you have one, be thankful. If you are still looking for one, ask the Lord. He will provide. But you need to be careful in choosing your friends. They will either help you in your journey through life or they will pull you down. How do you know what type of friend you have?

First of all, your friends will care for your success. They will root for you and support you through all situations (Proverbs 17:17). They will not forsake you or deliberately injure you (Proverbs 17:9). They will have your back. In fact, you may find a friend who is closer than a brother (Proverbs 18:24).

You will appreciate their counsel. (Proverbs 27:9). Their words may hurt you at times (Proverbs 27:6) but when truth is spoken in love, the mature understand and change.

The trap is placing your friends in the position of a god. By this, I mean you worship them. You rely on them to feed your ego and make you feel important in the eyes of others. Instead of serving them for the glory of God, you use them to feed your insecurities. They become the god who you rely on for your protection, provision, and fulfillment.

Most troubling is also when your friends are in bed with the world’s culture. As the above Scripture reminds us, accepting the worldly morals and values of society’s norms is surrounding yourselves with bedfellows whose purpose and gate opposes the God you want to serve. How long can you play with fire before your house is burnt to the ground?

As iron sharpens iron (Proverbs 27:17), so one person improves another. The more you spend time together with each other, the more you become like each other. If you believe killing babies within the womb is acceptable, than you will think nothing of hanging out with others who think like you do. If your moral standards accept lying to get what you want, than you have no problem associating with others who live out the same value.

However, if God’s Kingdom is the governmental format which puts order into your life, than you will find difficultly hanging out with others who oppose God’s way.

You will eventually find out you become an enemy in their eyes because they oppose the Triune God, and you do not. As the Scripture states, those who desire to be a friend of this world’s culture makes themselves an enemy of God.

The bottom-line: Choose your friends as careful as you choose the God you worship.

Rooting For You in Christ!

Dr. Mike

Encourager & Author of e-Books 

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God Wants Your Friendship

Dr. Mike 2021 , , , 
Revelation 3:20

Behold, I stand at the door and knock. If anyone hears my voice and opens the door, I will come in to him and eat with him, and he with me.

When someone wants to be your friend, how do you normally respond?

Do you immediately welcome them into your world without hesitancy?

Or do you quickly put up a wall and slowly keep them a distance away until you are more comfortable with them?

Do you allow anyone be your friend or are you selective? What criteria do you use to evaluate any potential friend?

Do all your relationships require them to become a friend?

Jesus wants you as a friend.

Abraham was a friend of God (James 2:23).

The Lord considered Moses a friend (Exodus 33:11).

Jesus even called his twelve disciples’ friends (John 15:15).

In this Scripture Jesus is inviting you and I to eat with him. In the Jewish custom, when you had a meal with someone you are letting them and the world know you are welcoming them into your world as a friend. Friends share time and their possessions with one another. The relationship Jesus wants with you and I include being a friend.

Of course, HE is still King, Lord, and Savior which carries all the responsibility and authority along with the titles. But even a king desires friendship; not because of his riches and influence, but because He simple enjoys hanging out with you. And you enjoy Him for being himself without all the trappings of royalty, power, and fame. Is not that what true, close, and abiding friendship means?

I for one am thankful He is my friend. In fact, HE is my best friend; and also happens to be my Lord, King, and Savior – which I always respect and hold in honor in our friendship. And I am OK that He also wants to be your friend. There is more than enough of him to go around. So, if you haven’t done so yet, take up his invitation and learn what real friendship is all about. You have my recommendation. You truly will be more than pleased with the relationship.

Rooting For You in Christ!

Dr. Mike

Encourager & Author of e-Books

 *  Dancing With God: Life-Giving Theology Explained
 *  Great Business Emulates a Good God
 *  Be Radical…Follow Christ!
 *  Simply The Messenger
 *  Unequally Married

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