Who is Your Best Friend?

Read: John 15:12-17 – 12) “This is my commandment, That you love one another, as I have loved you. 13) Greater love hath no man than this, that a man lay down his life for his friends. 14) You are my friends, if you do whatsoever I command you. 15) Henceforth I call you not servants; for the servant knows not what his lord doeth: but I have called you friends; for all things that I have heard of my Father I have made known unto you. 16) You have not chosen me, but I have chosen you, and ordained you, that you should go and bring forth fruit, and that your fruit should remain: that whatsoever you shall ask of the Father in my name, he may give it you. 17) These things I command you, that you love one another”.

Jesus Christ is man’s best Friend. Christians are not only forgiven of their sins and gifted with eternal life; their relationship with God is transformed from enmity to intimacy.

Abraham was called a “friend of God.” (James 2:23) Jesus” disciples were not merely students but “friends.” (John 15:13) During His earthly ministry, His disposition toward even the most despised of men, tax-gathers, was characterized by friendliness.

As your Friend, Jesus loves you as no other can. He loves you when you behave miserably, when others reject you and misunderstand you; Jesus embraces you, comforts you, and counsels you.

As your holy Friend, Jesus listens with compassion. You can complain, argue, gripe, moan, cry, or grieve. He sympathizes with every emotion without turning you away.

Jesus’ friendship is unceasing. There is never a moment, a nanosecond, when you are without His intimate presence. At the height of loneliness, Jesus is with you, in you, longing for you to look to Him for His unfailing help and consolation.

Is Jesus your Friend? Do you see Him only in a stern light; or do you hear Him call: “Friend, come and spend time with Me today”?

Friendship with God is life’s greatest pleasure and eternity’s everlasting reward.

Question and Answer Segment:

Question of the Day: I try to share Christ with some of my unsaved friends, but they don’t seem to understand what I’m saying. I know we are to tell others about Jesus, but it is so frustrating sometimes. Could you give me any recommendations?

     I understand your disappointment. The unsaved person is often in different to the Gospel and occasionally hostile. Let me share something that I think will help explain the reaction you receive and encourage you as you share Christ.

     There are various evangelism tools available to the Christian such as tracts, books, like this blog, and training programs. They are useful, but I am convinced there is one essential part we frequently overlook – the critical role of the Holy Spirit in bringing men and women to faith in Christ.

     Jesus described the supernatural ministry of the Holy Spirit in John 16:8; “And He (the Holy Spirit), when He comes, will convict the world concerning sin, and righteousness, and judgment.”

     Although the unbeliever may seem like everyone else on the surface, the Scriptures tell us that his soul and mind are in a depraved state. (Romans 3:10-18) He is spiritually dead; that is, he is completely separated from the life of God by sin. (Ephesians 2:1-2) He has no desire for God. (Galatians 5:19-21) He is also blind to the truth. (1 Corinthians 3:18-20) He cannot see the kingdom of God.

     The unbeliever sins because he is a sinner by nature. He knows nothing about righteousness, sin, or judgment.

     It is in those areas that the Holy Spirit is able supernaturally to impress an unbeliever’s heart. Without His divine aid in sharing Christ, we are helpless; dependent only on our persuasion or reasoning which in themselves cannot bring a person to salvation.

     Only the Holy Spirit can regenerate a person. Only the Holy Spirit can convict him of the truth about his sin. Only the Holy Spirit can convince the lost about God’s holy standard of truth and of His judgment that awaits all who reject Jesus Christ as their Savior. (John 16:8-11)

     The Holy Spirit points the unbeliever to Jesus Christ. In so doing He brings him to an awareness of his separation from God and need for salvation.

     The next time you share your faith, invest time asking the Holy Spirit to open the eyes and mind of the unsaved person. Then understand that his salvation is not dependent on your presentation alone (although we want to be courteous and scriptural) but on the Holy Spirit).

I hope this helps some of who are seeking to be a more effective witness for Christ! Address your thoughts or questions in comment section of this blog post. Let me know if this has helped.

EARLY LIGHT - Pray for our Nation

Special Devotion

“Righteousness exalts a nation, but sin is a disgrace to any people.”

Proverbs 14:34

2 Chronicles 36:15-17
15) “And the LORD God of their fathers sent to them by his messengers, rising up betimes, and sending; because he had compassion on his people, and on his dwelling place:  16) But they mocked the messengers of God, and despised his words, and misused his prophets, until the wrath of the LORD arose against his people, till there was no remedy.  17) Therefore he brought upon them the king of the Chaldees, who slew their young men with the sword in the house of their sanctuary, and had no compassion upon young man or maiden, old man, or him that stooped for age: He gave them all into his hand”. 

    

     One of the most terrifying phrases in the Bible is “God gave them over….” That phrase is used repeatedly in the Old Testament to describe God’s dealing with Israel – His faithful people – through His divinely decreed captivity of Israel by other nations.

     In the New Testament the phrase takes on new and traumatic meaning in Paul’s epistle to the Romans: “Therefore God gave them over in the lusts of their hearts…” (Romans 1:24). “For this reason God gave them over to degrading passions.” “…God gave them over to a depraved mind…” (Romans 1:28).

     Today the judgment of God is still expressed in terms of captivity. Although we may not be conquered by invading hordes, we are rapidly becoming a nation enslaved to moral depravity. Pornography, drugs, alcohol, homosexuality, abortion, child abuse, sexual immorality, and other forms of moral corruption have captured and now rule the heart and soul of a nation once founded on the moral principles of Scripture.

     The consequences are devastating. Families disintegrate. Public decency and compassion are neglected. Authority is despised. Chaos and degradation are unavoidable.

     The question is - Can you make a difference?  YES - Pray!