Meditations On Friends

Friends - people you hang out with -- people you feel committed to -- people you would go the extra mile for -- people whose beliefs and opinions you respect.

Job 2:11 - " When Job’s three friends, Eliphaz the Temanite, Bildad the Shuhite and Zophar the Naamathite, heard about all the troubles that had come upon him, they set out from their homes and met together by agreement to go and sympathize with him and comfort him."

Popular Mindset -- That it is good to have a lot of friends.
Your goal in life should not be to have a lot of friends but to bear fruit for God's Kingdom.

Matthew 6:33 - "But seek first the kingdom of God and his righteousness, and all these things will be added to you."

The only friends you want to have are the ones you are spiritually one mind with.
Amos 3:3 - "Shall two walk together, except they have agreed?"

Friends you are not equally yoked with can retard your spiritual progress and God's purpose for your life.

2 Corinthians 6:14 - "Be ye not unequally yoked together..."

Even though you would probably not admit it -- friends can influence the way you think, even if you may not agree with them.

Proverbs 6:27 - "Can a man take fire in his bosom And his clothes not be burned?

The people whose spiritual lives you are developing through mentoring are your future friends.

Since you are in Christ and the love of Christ is flowing through your heart you can be willing to lay down your life for someone who is not necessarily your friend.

ALBERT FINCH MINISTRY
http://afministry.ning.com/