Saturday, August 26, 2017

The Friend Everyone Longs For – Part Three


Continuing from the last post, Pastor Giglio tells us that the fifth friend that we are looking for principle is: (5) we need to become friends who “float freely” and are there for others during the good times and the bad times.  In the opening Bible passage says “Rejoice with those who rejoice, and weep with those who weep. We all have that friend who always is there when the party is on, but don’t you want that kind of friend who is there when you are at the bottom? This is a friend that can float with the “up and ups” and the “down and downs”, just as happy with the “high and mighty” as with those in “low estates”. The gospel does not treat people differently based upon the part of town that they live in, by what social/economic strata that they currently find themselves in, by what their family history is, or by anything else about them. The gospel highlights and dignifies every single person on planet Earth. It lifts up every person equally into the presence of God. Therefore, we desire to be the kind of person who is “easy-moving” up and down, side to side, among all kinds of people as friends.

We don’t want to be that kind of person who says, “oh, they are doing good right now, so I’m their friend.” But, if things go wrong for them, then they won’t hear from me for a while. We need to be people able to move among people who have something to offer you and among people who the only thing that they have to offer is the friendship of their heart. We need to be people able to move among people who need us more than we need them, and among those who we need more than they need us. Like Jesus, we need to float and move freely, reflecting a sincere “one-faced” love of God to each and every person. It makes God look good and it makes the gospel look strong. When we have a God-sized view of humanity and we seek the dignity of all people, the whole community rises. It makes Jesus look good. Don’t you want a friend that you do not have to worry about? Ones that you know they are always going to be there to rejoice and weep with you and show their unconditional love, not evaporate on you.

The sixth friend that we are looking for principle is: (6) we need to become friends who, as far as it depends on us, are peacemakers.  In the opening Bible passage says “If it is possible, as much as depends on you, live peaceably with all men.” In conflicts, our default is “them, them, them” and, usually, the solution to conflicts rest with us. The gospel only has power for me, in me, to change me. We cannot make the gospel have power to change someone else. We can only accept the gospel’s power to change ourselves. If we do that, then we understand that our calling now is to a life of peace (as much as it is possible and as much as it depends on us) with all people.

In John 14:27, Jesus tells us, “Peace I leave with you, My peace I give to you; not as the world gives do I give to you. Let not your heart be troubled, neither let it be afraid.”

There are people in conflict with us who are going to say that we are not going to have peace, maybe never, with them. It may not be possible to have peace with that person right now, but it is possible to have peace in your heart towards that person. Then, you are at true peace. You, situationally, may not be at peace, but, in your heart and mind, you are at peace. And, if you are at peace then you are reflecting the power of the gospel that has given you peace with God. You now have peace with you and have peace towards them. You are now living truly free.


In Matthew 6:9-13 Jesus instructs us to in this manner, therefore, pray: “Our Father in heaven, hallowed be Your name. Your kingdom come. Your will be done on earth as it is in heaven. Give us this day our daily bread. And forgive us our debts, as we forgive our debtors. And do not lead us into temptation, but deliver us from the evil one. For Yours is the kingdom and the power and the glory forever. Amen.

Be the friend that everyone longs for.
In Christ, Brian

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