We live in a society that lacks basic courtesy and respect. A society that is more concerned with self than it is with its neighbor. The following scripture can be true of our society today:
“There is a generation that curseth their father, and doth not bless their mother. There is a generation that are pure in their own eyes, and yet is not washed from their filthiness. There is a generation, O how lofty are their eyes! and their eyelids are lifted up.” Proverbs 30:11-13
Loftiness Among Christians
I have seen this attitude among Christians in fact I learned this lesson myself when a couple had poured out their lives into to us early on in our marriage. My attitude was so cold and callous, basically I got what I desired without thought or care for those who invested much in my life in order to be where I had grown at the time.
Many people are like that today, even though they claim Christ. They go from one friendship relationship to the next seeking what they can get out of it. They move on without thought of what God has done in their lives through the precious people He brought.
Yet their heart’s cry is for deeper friendships, “friends for life” as one young person told me.
Many times we want but we cannot attain. Why?
The main reason is that what we want is for us and not for the glory of God. Friendships, if they are to be real lasting relationships, should be Christ centered. Christ should be the heartbeat of your friendship.
Serving Christ in Your Friends
Just because you and your friends claim to be Christians does not mean you are Christ focused. Many “Christians” today, are busy with “Christian” activities but know little of who Jesus is. They have not made Jesus their true, friend for life and intimate friend.
You cannot give to someone else what you do not possess yourself.
True friends in Christ are the persona of our Lord here on earth. What a joy to share such a friendship. To humble yourself and serve them. Just think it is Christ in them you are serving!
I have been blessed many times over with such friends. Some which I sadly took for granted, not realizing what a treasure I had.
But I praise God that when I did realize, I could go back in humility and thank them so very much for their faithfulness. And you know what? I discovered they are still my friend! A friend for life in Christ waits patiently for you to grow.
Even when it hurts them that you just parted and went on your merry way, a friend for life in Christ does not demand your friendship because they are resting on their precious friend Jesus. They wait patiently, praying till God opens your heart in humility.
Such was the case with the couple that was a blessing to me. I used those very scriptures in Proverbs 30:11-13 to confess the fact that I had not appreciated them the way I should. They are true friends in the Lord and though we spend little time together these days because of the separate paths God has taken us, when we do it is as if we never parted.
Oh, to experience such a joy in friendship!
Treasures of Being a Friend
Recently, I am the older friend in the lives of two young women. Each unique in their own way and each desirous to please the Lord. What a blessing to have a part in their lives and I am undeservedly blessed by their thankfulness and immense loving attitude toward me.
Oh how unworthy and so blessed I feel as one of the young ladies tells me often that she loves me in various languages. The other uses a term of endearment that makes Timothy 5:2 a fulfilled reality in my life.
Friends are a blessing for sure. And friends in Jesus Christ are an incredible treasure. Allow God to open your eyes to the friends you have. Invest in your friends by taking time to appreciate and thank them. Serve them as our Lord would in humility.
You may be surprised to find that you have a friend for life who shares your very passion for Jesus Christ, the greatest friend of all. Oh what a wonderful friend is our Beloved!
It is HIM it is ALL about HIM, in your friendship relationships 
Lord You are Beloved Fairest of the Fair
1. Lord, You are Beloved, Fairest of the fair;
Altogether lovely, unrivaled beauty;
It’s You! Your presence, I long for and seek;
You’re the One in Whom my heart delights,
So, I just love to tell You…
* Jesus, I love You,
My treasure, You are;
How could I choose anything less than You?
Dear Lord, my inmost heart
You’ve captured and won.
2. Dead I was in sin Lord, so lost without You;
Helpless, wounded, weary, rebellious, too;
But Lord, You came! You would not let me go;
The blood and water flowed from Your side,
Constraining me to tell You…
3. Thank You Lord, You opened my blind eyes to see
I was lame, but now I can walk; You healed me!
My leprosy, Lord, You cleansed all away;
My ears were opened to hear Your voice,
And now I follow You ’cause…
4. Sometimes Lord, I’m drawn off by my selfish cares;
And the world it draws me with glitter and glare.
O Lord, You’ve trapped me. Don’t let me go.
Kiss me and woo me, and win my heart,
So, I will always tell You…
5. Keep my heart so soft, Lord, so open to You;
It would be the good ground to bear fruit for You;
Capture my friends Lord, and build us, I pray;
Your Bride, We’d match You in every way,
And corporately we tell You:
* Jesus, Come quickly,
We’re waiting for You;
We’re the virgins to You,
So single and true;
Forever and ever
Your counterpart true.
Source for hymn: Lord, You Are Beloved
“And I will gather the remnant of my flock out of all countries whither I have driven them, and will bring them again to their folds; and they shall be fruitful and increase.” Jeremiah 23:3
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