When I was a little girl, making friends seemed to be so easy. In school, children build friendships over the simplest of things, like enjoying the same sport or games or having mutual friends. Now in my adulthood and even my adolescent years, I’ve learned that it’s hard to find meaningful relationships. It seems increasingly difficult to build meaningful relationships in today’s society when there’s rampant use of technology and social media. As believers of Christ, we are instructed to surround ourselves with people who reflect Christian values and beliefs, such as empathy, patience, kindness, and self-control. Christians must be mindful of the company they keep and the spaces they enter, as the company we keep becomes a reflection of ourselves and of God. To live according to our faith and trust in God, it is crucial to be in close companionship with brothers and sisters in Christ that also are in obedience to God’s word.
The Bible speaks of many Christ-like qualities that Christians should exude, and in navigating relationships considering such traits is helpful in identifying relationships to invest in. Accountability in friendships is a topic that is continuously asserted in the Word of God. A good friend will hold another friend accountable for their poor choices or wrongdoings. A friend who does not hold another accountable is essentially encouraging a friend towards a poorer version of themselves.
It’s written in Proverbs 27:17, “As iron sharpens iron, so one man sharpens another.”
This verse in particular is widely referenced, as it speaks powerfully to the nature in which Christians are to be responsible for one another. To love a friend and fellow believer is to also be honest with them. Think of the nature in which a parent tenderly disciplines a child. Parents do not necessarily take pleasure in invoking shame or guilt in their children, but because of love, they choose to discipline them as they don’t want them to continue making poor decisions that can reap negative consequences in the future. In holding a friend accountable, we are helping them correct their wrongs and encouraging them to apply what they’ve learned to make wiser and to make more spiritually sound decisions. It is important to acknowledge the potential discomfort that arises from giving friends corrections or holding one another accountable. However when done in sincerity and with compassion, it is a clear act of love.
Galatians 6:1-2 says, “Brothers if anyone is caught in any transgression, you who are spiritual should restore him in a spirit of gentleness. Keep watch on yourself, lest you be tempted. Bear one another’s burdens, and so fulfill the law of Christ.”
A beacon of a Godly friendship is one that practices gentle correction. There is a way to communicate and address a friend’s wrongdoings without appearing condescending or judgmental – after all, God is the only true judge. A brother or sister in Christ is one in which there is mutual accordance, holding one another to the utmost standard that they also hold themselves to. Further, when either falls short, they still lead with understanding, encouragement, and kindness.
You will recognize a fortified and refreshing devotion towards your faith and love for God when cultivating friendship with fellow believers. Witness how the connections you form are no longer tied to worldly, temporary interests, but rather focused on becoming fully fixated on God’s word and His promises of freedom, peace, and Eternal Life. Friends are not measured by the people we travel with or take the most “Instagram-worthy” photos with, nor is it those who make you more socially appealing or relevant. Assess the relationships you are currently invested in and ask if they bring you closer to God. Know that in letting go of broken bonds, God will bless you with relationships that are rooted in His love and will also transform your spiritual walk with Him. Seek friends who share your same love and devotion for God, as they will look out for you and love you in a self-sacrificial way, just as our Lord Jesus Christ did for us.
Scripture Reading: Proverbs 27:17; Galatians 6:1-2
