The Hopes of a Christian Friend

As I have shared before, we all want and need good friends. In every arena of life having people to share things and experiences with just makes life so much more enjoyable. Certain people (our friends) simply meet many of the needs of our lives.

If I were to ask you to reflect back over your life and remember certain friends it wouldn't take long for a smile to form on your face. These people may not be as involved with you as they may have been at one time, but there indeed was a time when you were pretty thick. Social media sites, like Facebook, have made it possible to reconnect with friends long removed by time, distance, and/or circumstance.

A few nights ago my daughter texted a photo to me. She had found an old fake magazine cover with a picture of me and my best friend at the time, Jerry. The photo was taken circa 1979 at Liberty Land theme park in Memphis Tennessee. Jerry and I were both into professional wrestling at the time (Why? I don't have a clue). Jerry and I were tighter than any two friends could have ever been. But life moved us in different directions and only recently have we re-connected via Facebook.

We know what we want and need from our friends. But do you ever ponder what you really want for them? I assume that if you are reading this blog then there is a good chance you are a Christian. Of course Christians haven't cornered the market on friendship. All people understand the value of others in their lives. But Christian people strive to love their friends from a biblical perspective.

I think it is safe to say that all people want the best life offers for their friends. But Christian people think somewhat like Paul did when he wrote:

⁸ For God is my witness, how I long for you all with the affection of Christ Jesus. ⁹ And this I pray, that your love may abound still more and more in real knowledge and all discernment, ¹⁰ so that you may approve the things that are excellent, in order to be sincere and blameless until the day of Christ; ¹¹ having been filled with the fruit of righteousness which comes through Jesus Christ, to the glory and praise of God. (Phil. 1:8-11)

It is clear to see that Paul wanted two things for his friends. (1) He wanted to be with them. But he wanted to be with them "with the affection of Christ Jesus." Jesus' kind of affection was to show compassion. So, Paul wanted to be with his friends so he could demonstrate compassionate love to them in the same way Jesus did. He wanted to serve them and minister to them.

How often do you desire to actually serve a Christian friend? Yes, we can be buddys and hang out together. But do you think about ways you can serve and minister to them in real and practical ways? The hope of a Christian friend is to be able to discover ways to serve others.

(2) Christian friends hope that their friends will grow deeper in their love, understanding, and service to the Lord. Paul prayed that his friends would grow in Christian love so ...

that your love may abound still more and more in real knowledge and all discernment...

Paul knew that growing in the love of Christ causes one to understand (discern) the Lord more deeply. He also wanted them to grow in love so that they could see the excellency of serving the Lord and others themselves. This way little blame could ever be leveled against them.

Christians hope they can find ways to serve and bless their friends in the same way Jesus blessed the people he ministered to. They also hope their friends will grow more deeply in love with the Lord each day so they too can see the blessing that comes from blessing others.

I trust this has been a blessing to you.

Tony Guthrie

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