Friends

Posted on January 2, 2019 by America's Keswick in Freedom Fighters

Prov. 13:20 “Whoever walks with the wise becomes wise, but the companion of fools will suffer harm.”

Choose your friends wisely. They tell me a great deal about you.

After hiring a large summer staff for many years, early on I discovered something: it takes about 3-5 days for friendships to form and, by and large, the good ones get together and the “bad apples” seem to find each other. “Friends are the family we choose for ourselves.”-Edna Buchanan. Water seeks its own level.

I have no way of knowing whether or not you really trusted Christ; only He knows that. But I can have a rather good idea of your commitment to Him by watching your lifestyle.

If you claim Christ as your Savior but are more often surrounded by ungodly people than godly, begin to question your commitment to Christ. Would you rather be with God’s crowd or the world’s crowd? Walk with a skunk, smell like a skunk.

There is not the slightest suggestion here that you should have no unsaved friends. On the contrary, you are to be salt and light to them. How can you win them for Christ or be a good testimony for Him if you are not friendly with them?

The point is, where is your heart? On the one hand, Prov. 27:17 says, “iron sharpens iron, so a man sharpens the countenance of his friend.” On the other, James 4:4 says, “friendship with the world is enmity with God; whosever therefore will be a friend of the world is the enemy of God”.

What kind of influence do your friends have on you? Do they draw you to moral high ground or to base feelings? Perhaps a better question is, what kind of influence do you have on your friends? Are you at least open to discussion about your Christianity or do you hope it never comes up in conversation?

If you are a good friend, somehow you will find opportunity to share the good news and socialize with others who love the good news.

Written by Rev. Neil Fitchthorn Rev. Neil Fichthorn is a seasoned conference and camping servant having served at Gull Lake Bible Conference, Sandy Cove Ministries as President, and an interim Executive Director at Pinebrook Bible Conference. He also served in church music for decades as a choir director and arranger. He has been Bill Welte’s mentor and friend for over 45 years.

The Daily Bible Reading: Genesis 4-6; Romans 2 | You can download our 2018 Daily Bible Reading Plan by clicking here

Daily Quote:  “Associate with men of good quality, if you esteem your own reputation; for it is better to be alone than in bad company.” -George Washington

This Week’s Verse to Memorize:  I have been crucified with Christ; it is no longer I who live, but Christ lives in me; and the life which I now live in the flesh I live by faith in the Son of God, who loved me and gave Himself for me. – Galatians 2:20