12/02/2020
As we choose our friends, are they righteous Christians that serve God each day, or do we choose friends that give little thought to the Lord? Are we more concerned with having moral friends who live for, and chase after, the seemingly wholesome things of the world, or are we drawn to Spiritual Giants... Saints... the children of God, who seek Him above all else? Moral companions might not lead us into worldly trouble, like evil people would, but they won’t help us enter into the gates of heaven, the presence of God, or walk with us in His ways. Friends like these won’t increase our faith. We must choose our company wisely, and find our delight in those who are led by the Spirit.
“As for the saints in the land, they are the excellent ones, in whom is all my delight.”
Psalm 16:3 ESV
Long before a child chooses their friends a foundation has been laid. Parents, even bad or ungodly parents, teach their children how to travel through life. Evil parents show their offspring how to cheat and steal by their own example; ungodly parents might teach their children to be good, and to do what is morally right, but they have not lead them into a relationship with Jesus Christ, and God the Father. Finally, righteous parents who are children of God, and have accepted Jesus Christ as their savior will teach their sons and daughters to love God, obey His commandments, and not only to to do good, but to become Saints in Christ. As Christians we read the following scripture from Proverbs, and only see it in a good way; that a child taught faith will not depart from it, but as we have just read, this scripture is equally true for the moral, and the evil. A child who is taught evil ways is given a difficult road to travel through life, and finds that their path twists and turns as they seek to survive, and, God willing, find salvation.
“Train up a child in the way he should go; even when he is old he will not depart from it.”
Proverbs 22:6 ESV
Thankfully, many children are raised by parents who know the Lord, and teach them His commandments; these children should count themselves fortunate, and blessed. Whereas the others who are raised by evil or simply moral parents who do good things, and behave in acceptable ways, will struggle; they are unfortunate, and depend on those of faith to speak God’s truth to them, and teach them of the transformative power of Jesus.
“And we all, with unveiled face, beholding the glory of the Lord, are being transformed into the same image from one degree of glory to another. For this comes from the Lord who is the Spirit.”
2 Corinthians 3:18 ESV
Children of unbelieving lineage must fight hard to overcome their lot in life, and even if they are good and moral, they are missing the one key ingredient; a flourishing faith. The seed of our faith that was placed in each of us at birth has not received the living water it needs, and thus has not germinated within them... they have not yet come to know Jesus Christ as their savior, or developed a loving relationship with Jehovah God. Despite the good they do, they are still lost.
“The righteous choose their friends carefully, but the way of the wicked leads them astray.”
Proverbs 12:26 NIV
So whether we are children, or adults, we need to choose our friends wisely, because just as little children are the products of their friends, and parent’s, instruction, we as adult Christians are also led to be good or wicked by those we surround ourselves with. We must be careful when we go into the world to witness to the lost, because our loving nature can make us susceptible to friendships that can harm our faith. The mission is to save the souls of the lost... not to lose our own in the process. Jesus sent his disciples out to spread the good news, but he also gave them instructions meant to protect them...
“And if the house is worthy, let your peace come upon it, but if it is not worthy, let your peace return to you. And if anyone will not receive you or listen to your words, shake off the dust from your feet when you leave that house or town.”
Matthew 10:13-14 ESV
So, who are our friends, and are they Saints who can help us travel whatever road of faith we travel? Choose wisely, and yoke yourself equally with those you allow into your life.
““Behold, I am sending you out as sheep in the midst of wolves, so be wise as serpents and innocent as doves.”
Matthew 10:16 ESV
Prayer:
Father, thank you for the Saints you have brought into our lives, and the influence they have on us as we walk towards you. Help us Holy Father to choose our friends wisely, and open our eyes to the wolves hiding in sheep’s clothing who wish to devour our souls. Keep us safe Lord as we go out into the world to witness to the lost, and give us a heart for them so that we can speak, heart to heart, a language they understand. Give us the words we need to convince them of your mercy, grace, transformative power, and love. Holy, Holy, Holy, are you our God whose grace is sufficient for us as you call out to the children of the righteous, the moral, and by your amazing power and love, the children of the wicked too. Hear our prayers father as we prepare ourselves each day, and give us discernment as we walk into the world, seeking to save souls, while guarding our own. Hear our confessions, listen to the contrition in our voices, and forgive us our sins as we pray together before you with the lost. Cover our transgressions with the blood of Christ, so that the sins we have confessed will be forgiven, and separated from us, as we stand pure before you... transformed, and welcome in your house.
“Command and teach these things. Let no one despise you for your youth, but set the believers an example in speech, in conduct, in love, in faith, in purity. Until I come, devote yourself to the public reading of Scripture, to exhortation, to teaching. Do not neglect the gift you have, which was given you by prophecy when the council of elders laid their hands on you. Practice these things, immerse yourself in them, so that all may see your progress. Keep a close watch on yourself and on the teaching. Persist in this, for by so doing you will save both yourself and your hearers.”
1 Timothy 4:11-16 ESV
Rich Forbes