Theme of the Week: The Redemptive Power of Godly Friendship
Bible Verse: My son, do not despise the Lord’s discipline or be weary of his reproof. Proverbs 3:11 ESV
Scripture Readings: Proverbs 3:9-12, 2 Corinthians 1:3-8
This week we have explored the importance of friendship and its place in our lives designed by God for our transformation. Here are some of the highlights:
The Road to Redemption
Jesus certainly understood well the redemptive power of friendship. For example, when he sent out his disciples to reap the harvest, he sent them out “two by two” (Luke 10:1). That is, he sent them as friends.
The Three Marks of Redemptive Friendship
1. A Friend Gives Earnest Counsel
Earnest counsel may at first be difficult to hear. But when wisely given and humbly received, we discover with joy that it is one of the elements that makes redemptive friendship so pleasant. Some translations of Proverbs 27:9 render “pleasant” as “sweet,” for truly such earnest counsel is the “sweet spot” of biblical friendship.
2. A Friend Gives Trustworthy Correction
There is no point in pretending the situation is not serious. Like setting a broken bone or performing surgery to remove a cancer, a friend’s wounds are far better suffered sooner rather than later. These are careful, measured wounds, humbly administered, which can help heal a significant illness. Such wounding is an act of redemptive love.
3. A Friend Gives Consistent Comfort
In our day, biblical comfort can be both tangible and intangible. But in one way or another, such comfort always demonstrates and underscores the truth of the gospel.
Friends of the Redeemer
Our need for redemptive human friendship is real and vitally important. Christlike friends are gifts of God’s grace who remind us of Christ and point us to Christ
Taken from A Proverbs Driven Life by Anthony Selvaggio, © 2008. Used by permission of Shepherd Press, shepherdpress.com
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