FAITHFUL FRIEND
God’s promise to me and every Christ follower is, He will never leave or forsake me. (John 15:13 AMP) No one has greater love [nor stronger commitment] than to lay down his own life for his friends. Jesus was speaking with his disciples about their relationships and interaction between themselves. (Hebrews 13:5 NIV) Keep your lives free from the love of money and be content with what you have, because God has said “Never will I leave you; never will I forsake you.” Jesus’s sacrificial death was evidence of God’s promise to mankind. God’s desire to be our faithful friend. A friend who is trustworthy beyond common understanding. We read or see accounts of a person in the military sacrificing their life to save the life of a comrade. We recently saw the account on TV of a young man scaling the side of a building to save the life of a child. These acts of heroism, though not commonplace, occur on a fairly regular basis. Everyday examples of what Scripture depicts as the ultimate or greatest expression of love. Imagine the gratitude felt by the recipient when they begin to comprehend the gift given them.
I have found during the years I have been a Christ follower, as my understanding and appreciation of God’s love for me has grown, it has fueled my quest to experience to the fullest, the depth of His love through my relationship with Jesus. A living out in my life of my gratitude. The more I understand what He sacrificed, so I could be his friend, I am overwhelmed by how much he loves me. In earlier posts I mentioned my marriage being in trouble. This was a difficult and troubling life experience. There were many dark days when I felt alone and hopeless. During this time there was a lengthy period of separation from my wife. What caused the most difficulty for me, was not knowing the final outcome and having my life in limbo. The marriage ultimately failed. It is a mystery to me how God manages to impart to my understanding, what I need, in the way I need it, at the time I need it, to navigate life. He faithfully saw me through this painful period. In the process, I learned to trust Him more and I became a stronger person, hopeful something good could come from the devastation of my broken marriage and life.
He has been my faithful friend. I have experienced and am living out that hope, on a daily basis.
Take heart in the words of Jesus from John 16:33 NIV “I have told you these things, so that in me you may have peace. In this world you will have trouble. But take heart! I have overcome the world”.