Theme of the Week: Living Victoriously
Bible Verse: For just as each of us has one body with many members, and these members do not all have the same function, so in Christ we, though many, form one body, and each member belongs to all the others. Romans 12:4-5 NIV
Scripture Reading: 1 Samuel 18:1 NASB, John 13:34 NIV, Colossians 1:18 NIV
Who do you think of when you think of best friends in the Bible? There are a few pairs of friends we could probably name, but most of us might have David and Jonathan at the top of our list, and for good reason. 1 Samuel 18 is where we begin to see this storied friendship of loyalty, trust, love, and sacrifice. I think 1 Samuel 18:1 really captures the essence of this deep friendship: “Now it came about when he had finished speaking to Saul, that the soul of Jonathan was knit to the soul of David, and Jonathan loved him as himself.” Do you have a friend like that? I hope so!
As we’re exploring this week, Jesus will always be our source of victorious living. But our lives are to be lived out with others, not in isolation. Paul the Apostle writes in Romans 12:4-5 that we are all members of the body of Christ. We need each other because each part of the body is important. This means that I can’t say, “I don’t need you” or you can’t say, “you don’t need me.” We are together, whether we like it or not. And the glue that keeps us stuck together, like Jonathan and David, is love for one another.
Too many men try to be victorious loners; it just doesn’t work. I heard someone say, “You can have faith for yourself but never by yourself.” As the body of Christ, we can only succeed in our faith if others are succeeding in theirs. Our focus can’t only be on us; we must be mindful of others as well. So, we pray, serve, and protect one another. We are a team, and like an old military saying goes: “Leave No Man Behind.”
Friendship and community that are marked by love is of great importance if we want to live a victorious life for Jesus. Don’t try to go it alone. Too many guys are not finishing their race well. I will leave you with one last quote from an ancient proverb: “If you want to go fast, go alone. If you want to go far, go together.”
Prayer: Jesus, forgive me for trying to do things alone. You have given me friendship and community. Help me to make time to deepen friendships and take time for others.
Reflection: Who do you need to deepen a friendship with? Who do you need to add to your prayer list?
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