There are some common cultural sayings that have so infiltrated American minds, that they have even taken hold within the Church.  “Faith is private.”  “God helps those who help themselves.” “Pick yourself up by the bootstraps.”  None of these sayings are in the Bible.  The Bible actually says the exact opposite of these things.  Throughout God’s Word we are told again and again that we cannot pursue Him in our own power, we are daily dependent upon the grace and mercy of God.  Likewise we are told that just as God exists in community (Father, Son, Holy Spirit) and we are made in His image, we are meant to live and flourish among a community of believers.

Ecclesiastes 4:9-12 – “ Two are better than one, because they have a good reward for their toil. ¹⁰ For if they fall, one will lift up his fellow. But woe to him who is alone when he falls and has not another to lift him up! ¹¹ Again, if two lie together, they keep warm, but how can one keep warm alone? ¹² And though a man might prevail against one who is alone, two will withstand him—a threefold cord is not quickly broken.”

Christian, there will be times in life when you fall.  How long and how hard will depend largely on those around you.  Who are your closest friends?  Do they just call themselves Christians, or do you see a passionate pursuit of God in their life?  Do they submit themselves to God’s Word and point you to Him?  If they do, praise God, that is God’s blessing to you – His provision to you to sustain your faith if you receive it.  Likewise, you are God’s blessing to your Christian friends.

Let me give an example.  Let’s say you’re a doctor, and you’re vacationing on a private island with two of your friends.  You’re not going to be picked up for a week.  You fall and break your leg, and one of your friends has to set the bone for you.  One of your friends is an accountant, and your other friend is a fellow doctor.  When you’re in agony and the future of your leg is on the line, which of your friends will you trust?  What if both of your friends were accountants?  Christians are meant to be in community with other Christians who are pursuing God together.  We are meant to turn to God’s Church, pastors and strong Christian believers for counsel.

“What about my other friends?  I can’t just ditch them.  Jesus hung out with non-believers all the time.”  Two things – Jesus always approached people on His own terms, and never entered into sin in order to be around them.  So should you with your friends.  Be wise in who you surround yourself with – “A man of many companions may come to ruin, but there is a friend who sticks closer than a brother.” – Proverbs 18:24 Likewise, you do not neglect your friends who are apart from Christ, but you get coffee with them, eat with them, bring them over to your house, pray for them, preach the gospel to them when you can, and hope for them.  But guard yourself in against two things – temptation, and worldly counsel rather than the full counsel of God from His Word.  Worldly counsel can have an appearance of wisdom, but in the end, God’s Word will prove true – We will be conformed to who we listen to, either man apart from God, or Christ in us, the Living Word of God.  If your friends are not giving you counsel that is rooted in the love of Christ from His Word, however it may sound – their counsel is leading you away from Him.   1 Corinthians 15:33 – “Do not be deceived: “Bad company ruins good morals”  

My encouragement is to pursue regular community with Christians.  Join a church, get involved, and let God surround you with those who will be a “friend that is closer than than a brother” Just as Jesus was among the world, but traveled with twelve disciples and even within the disciples had a closer three of Peter, James, and John – make sure that your closest two or three are strong brothers and sisters in Christ, that you will have help and true encouragement in life as we fight the daily fight for faith.   “And let us consider how to stir up one another to love and good works, ²⁵ not neglecting to meet together, as is the habit of some, but encouraging one another, and all the more as you see the Day drawing near.” Hebrews 10:24-25

Grace and Peace,

Adam