Constancy: biblical friendships are not fleeting and easily disposable, but are characterized by true constancy, in defiance of the obstacles continually tossed at us by the effects of the fall. But through the faithful constancy of Christ’s love, so we are operating in that same love.
Candor: the ability to speak truth in love for the good of your friend. Not even our own personal love, but out of that greater love we can speak truth and love into each other’s lives.
Carefulness: wisdom and consideration in how to live out the life of friendship. To be full of care for the friend. Concern is from Christ, so we have deep concerns for one another.
Counsel: wise counsel to spur one another into greater Christ-likeness.
[Holmes, Jonathan, The Company We Keep: In Search of Biblical Friendship]
How to forge biblical friendship:
Change our mindset: Worldly vs. Biblical Friendship.
Right attitude and goals: have a clear commitment of bringing glory to God through this friendship.
Conversations and context: face to face interactions, going through life together.
Shared meals, caring confrontation: sharing the joy and the difficulties, use of candor.
Let’s pray according to Acts 10:24 “The following day he arrived in Caesarea. Cornelius was expecting them and had called together his relatives and close friends.” Let’s pray that there will be opportunities to share the gospel to our family and friends and pray so that they would know Jesus. Pray for them by name.
Prayer: Lord we pray for our families and loved friends that they would know Jesus. May there be opportunities and open doors to share the gospel of Jesus and may salvation come to their lives. In Jesus’ name we pray, amen.
Let’s sing the song “We Praise You” by Matt Redman (click here).
-MK