Jesus talks quite seriously about us actively loving each other. Paul reiterates that we should be tightly knit. He wants us to have a close relationship with one another. And who is this “we”? The saved. Those who confess with their mouth the Lord Jesus and believe in their heart that God has raised Him from the dead (Romans 10:9).
The importance of friendship
Getting our cue Colossians 2:1-2, For I want you to know what a great conflict I have for you and those in Laodicea, and for as many as have not seen my face in the flesh, 2 that their hearts may be encouraged, being knit together in love, and attaining to all riches of the full assurance of understanding, to the knowledge of the mystery of God, both of the Father and of Christ,
As its administrator, this is what excites me about the women’s ministry of Faith Baptist Church: By sharing and discussing our ideas, praying honestly and openly for one another, and fellowshipping over coffee and eats, we are doing what Jesus and Paul urge us to do. We are being knit together and loving one another.
Friendship according to the Bible
The Bible is always challenging us to have different definitions than the world has. Friendship is no exception. We are called to a much fuller and richer definition than what the world expects: To bear one another’s burdens, and so fulfill the law of Christ (Galatians 6:2).
I realise and acknowledge that most of us have probably been hurt by a friend, maybe even a Christian friend. And this caused damage to our capacity to trust in the way God wants us to. Each of us has baggage that we are unpacking while sitting in the light of the cross. This is sanctification: To align ourselves more with God’s definitions and allowing the Holy Spirit to work it.
An invitation to real relationships
I want real friendship, close friendships. Friendship like the Bible wants for me. So that is what we are aiming for: a safe space in which we can Confess your trespasses to one another, and pray for one another, that we may be healed (James 5:16).