Closer than a Brother By Michael Youssef, Ph.D. Whether we realize it or not, faithfulness is at the heart of all relationships. It is the very thing that prevents families and societies from falling apart. And it is the one element that has the ability to encourage us to persevere in times of failure and heartache. The psalmist writes, “The Lord preserves the faithful, but the proud he pays back in full” (Psalm 31:23). Therefore, it comes as no surprise that the apostle Paul lists faithfulness as one of the fruit of the Spirit. In fact, one of the first things we learn about God is that He is faithful. When we were young, we often sing the song “Jesus Loves Me,” and we know He does. No matter what we have done in the past or what we will do in the future, God’s love for us never changes. It is eternal, infinite, and faithful. This fact is not a license for sin. Instead, it is the evidence we need to repent and to accept God’s love for our lives. There is nothing you can do to make yourself more acceptable to the Lord. He accepts you just as you are, and He loves you fully and completely. His love and faithfulness never change; they are yours for eternity. When life becomes difficult for someone you know, are you the type of friend who “sticks closer than a brother” (Proverbs 18:24)? Jesus is this type of friend. He remains at our side even when others abandon us and we should follow His example and do the same for others. Far too often, we walk away when a friend needs us the most. At the end of his life, Paul writes and asks Timothy to come to him because everyone had left him except for Luke. Through Jesus Christ, you also can learn to be a faithful friend like Timothy. Prayer: Lord, thank You for my friends. Please help me to be a good friend to them. I pray I will follow Your example and will stand by my friends when they need me the most. I pray in the name of Jesus. Amen. But the fruit of the Spirit is love, joy, peace, patience, kindness, goodness, faithfulness, gentleness and self-control. Against such things there is no law (Galatians 5:22-23).
Posted on: Wed, 28 Aug 2013 20:46:38 +0000
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