Finding Friends

How delightful to find a friend in everyone.
Joseph Brodsky (1940-, Russian-born American poet, critic)

Eph 6:12
For our struggle is not against flesh and blood, but against the rulers, against the powers, against the world forces of this darkness, against the spiritual forces of wickedness in the heavenly places.
NASU

One of the greatest lessons that we can learn as Christians and examples of faith that walk on this temporary earth is the importance of friends. My father always taught me that I could never have enough friends, and it is a habit that we should all practice as we go through life. We may not convert everyone, but we can at least be their friend, and that sometimes leads to conversion.

Maybe this is what Jesus was speaking to John about in Mark 9:40-41; “For he who is not against us is for us. For whoever gives you a cup of water to drink because of your name as followers of Christ, truly I say to you, he will not lose his reward.” John had wanted to spurn someone who he thought was imitating them, but Jesus gave him this insight on the way to Jerusalem.

We are not in a fight with people; we are in a spiritual battle against spiritual forces. If we are not careful, we can give opportunity for spiritual forces to invade helpless people in this battle and destroy them. So along the way befriend and do not condemn those that are making attempts that may seem weak in your eyes to connect with their Lord. Encourage and befriend them, just like Jesus did you…God Bless.

Pastor William