This Sunday we will be considering what Proverbs has to teach us about friendship. To begin with, it defines true friendship in terms of steadfast love. “A friend loves at all times, and a brother is born for adversity (Proverbs 17:17).” This means the perfect model of friendship is God Himself, who alone perfectly loves at all times.
God is our Friend through Christ. In fact, friendship began within God. It’s who God is – Father, Son, and Spirit in eternal, powerful interactions of love. The heart of God is friendship reaching out.
Now, because of Christ, you and I have been drawn in. In that spirit, the Apostle John sent greetings from one church to another this way: “Peace be to you. The friends greet you. Greet the friends, every one of them (3 John 15).”
God is befriending us, including us, drawing more and more people in. Friendship began in Heaven, not on earth, and is coming down to earth through the gospel today. The wisdom of Proverbs guides us into the strong friendships God is creating. God is saying to you right now, “Let’s be friends. And let’s win more friends – wisely.” (Ray Ortlund, Jr., Proverbs: Wisdom that Works)
In a year that has been dominated by adversity, we desperately need real friendships. Would you join us this Sunday, coming prayerfully with hearts ready to receive God’s word? Neal Hardin will be preaching and Kenny Clark will be leading us in sung worship. They would love your prayers this week as they prepare.
See you Sunday, Grace. Come hungry!
Song Link of the Week
Jesus, What a Friend for Sinners – live worship from Grace, November 28, 2011