Bearing In True Friendship

July 17, 2021

Bear one another’s burdens, and so fulfill the law of Christ.

~Galatians 6:2~

As we grew up we all had those friends we would do anything for. The kind of friend that we love so much we would give them our last piece of candy or offer up our jacket on a cold night. The very gift of having others who are here for us is worth every praise to God. He did not wish for us to be alone, not in any moment; "And the Lord God said, “It is not good that man should be alone; I will make him a helper comparable to him.” (Genesis 2:18)

From the beginning of time God made companions, not just in humans but in angels as well. God is so powerful He could of very well made just one, or none for that matter and still done everything Himself. He chose to bless with friendship, with support and with love. God desires for each to know how important they are and most times He sends people our way to do so. Jesus was one heck of a model Friend to us wasn't He? Coming to take on everything as man would, endured rejection as most of us have been through and taught us how to love one another as He loves us. It is His will that we may be in unity as family. It is His joy to see His children bearing one another's burdens as He Himself has. We are taking on His image as we sacrifice our time and resources for another, being quick to let go of our own desires to do so. "But do not forget to do good and to share, for with such sacrifices God is well pleased." (Hebrews 13:16)

The Lord broke bread with His disciples and predicted His own death, bearing the weight of sin upon His Body for all of us to become His friends. To have that intimate communion with Him and to share that love with others who haven't witnessed it yet.

"No longer do I call you servants, for a servant does not know what his master is doing; but I have called you friends, for all things that I heard from My Father I have made known to you." (John 15:15)

How blessed are we that we can consider the King of Kings, Lord of Lords our very own friend? He is waiting for us to shine that light bearing in each friendship He calls us into. The relationships that are filled with God's love allow us to share in eachothers blessings. We can laugh together, praise together, study together, minister together and grow in the Lord together. Sometimes one of us is lower in a time and season and the other is there to lift them up with the Lord's truth. It is why He gave Himself so that we may proclaim that healing under His image; "A man who has friends must himself be friendly, But there is a friend who sticks closer than a brother." (Proverbs 18:24)

We are brothers, we are sisters, we are Family in Christ Jesus. We are each blessed with gifts that compliment eachother. There may be a time when we are feeling so great and our dear friend is feeling not so great, this is a time to bear their burdens and share the Lord's joy over them. This is the will of God to guide them into all peace with us. True friendship is giving up something we may want for the other. Not many people want to give up their time, however if Jesus did so, what makes us any better then Him? Surely we have been told that we are to serve and to love. "Again, if two lie down together, they will keep warm; But how can one be warm alone?" (Ecclesiastes 4:11)

Let us not grow cold and selfish, for this is not the way of our Father in heaven. Jesus' power is activated in faith and compassion. When we are bitter and cold, we may grow stale in our fruits. The message of the cross is true Friendship, one bearing burdens for another so they may feel peace. I urge us all to do the same in these days ahead.

Prayer:

Gracious Adonai, thank you for being a Friend that sticks closer than a brother. Your sweet sacrifice for me has proven to me that the love of God is all that is needed to grow and be aligned to You. I desire more. I pray to be a blessing to all of my friends and family in the way You have been to me. Lead me to the ones who feel alone. Guide me to the people who need to feel Your joy. Direct my steps to the path of freedom for the broken hearted. I will take any burden I must for Your children to feel free. I am praising You for the direction I am heading. Let all who are my friends glorify Your Name as they witness this love and joy in which only comes from You. In Jesus Name, our Greatest Friend. Amen.