1. Companions help us live life with joy and endurance (Ecclesiastes 3:22-4:12). The Bible points out the obvious – although we sometimes miss this: life is better when you travel the journey with a partner. You have someone with whom to share everything. You have a partner if you fall down. When you have more than one companion, you exponentially increase the power to endure and have joy.
9 Two are better than one,
Because they have a good reward for their labor.
10 For if they fall, one will lift up his companion.
But woe to him who is alone when he falls,
For he has no one to help him up.
11 Again, if two lie down together, they will keep warm;
But how can one be warm alone?
12 Though one may be overpowered by another, two can withstand him.
And a threefold cord is not quickly broken (Ecclesiastes 4:9-12).
2. Companions help us get wiser or destroy us (Proverbs 13:20). Choose the right friend, you will receive the benefits of wisdom. Walk with a foolish person, you will be harmed. The Bible makes it clear that wisdom is to be desired – especially from your friends.
He who walks with wise men will be wise,
But the companion of fools will be destroyed (Proverbs 13:20).
3. Companions love us and are with us through life (Proverbs 17:17). Like a brother, a friend chooses to live life with you in the good times and bad. His or her loyalty is like that of a family member. In fact, sometimes the friend is even closer because the friend has chosen to love you and is not just related to you.
A friend loves at all times,
And a brother is born for adversity (Proverbs 17:17).
4. Companions help mold us (Proverbs 27:17). Our friends sharpen us in our character. They help us think better. They help us interpret life circumstances with greater wisdom. As iron sharpens the edge of iron, so do our friends sharpen us.
As iron sharpens iron,
So a man sharpens the countenance of his friend (Proverbs 27:17).
5. Companions provide us comfort and edify us (1 Thessalonians 4:18; 5:11). As Christian friends who understand what the Bible teaches about life, now as compared to eternity and God’s past, present, and future plan, you use that truth to comfort each other when needed. In times of sorrow and fear, a friend points you to the truth of Scripture to help you get through it.
Therefore comfort one another with these words (1 Thessalonians 4:18).
Therefore comfort each other and edify one another, just as you also are doing (1 Thessalonians 5:11).
6. Companions help us identify sin and protect us (Hebrews 3:12-13). Because sin is so deceitful, friends help us truly see what is around us and give us insight into what is in us. We can’t see what we can’t see. In life, our flesh often camouflages sin such that it looks as one thing when in fact it is another.
12 Beware, brethren, lest there be in any of you an evil heart of unbelief in departing from the living God; 13 but exhort one another daily, while it is called “Today,” lest any of you be hardened through the deceitfulness of sin (Hebrews 3:12-13).
7. Companions help us do good deeds and/or do better (Hebrews 10:24-25). No matter how intelligent, discerning, or witty you are, friends can help stimulate growth. We need someone to stir the pot per se. Provocateurs are good for us in the best way. Wherever we are at in our walk with Christ, we can and need to take the next step. Friends help us in this way.
24 And let us consider one another in order to stir up love and good works, 25 not forsaking the assembling of ourselves together, as is the manner of some, but exhorting one another, and so much the more as you see the Day approaching (Hebrews 10:24-25).
8. Companions help us spiritually (James 5:13-20). If you have not caught on yet, here is another verse that emphasizes the fact that friends help us as Christians. They help protect us. They provide the necessary voice we need to keep us from hurting Christ, others and ourselves in sin. In the process, we grow spiritually.
16 Confess your trespasses to one another, and pray for one another, that you may be healed (James 5:16).
19 Brethren, if anyone among you wanders from the truth, and someone turns him back, 20 let him know that he who turns a sinner from the error of his way will save a soul from death and cover a multitude of sins (James 5:19-20).
9. The many one-another commands in the Bible help us understand our responsibility to each other. There are many other verses in the New Testament that exhort us by the use of a command and are attached to the words “one another.” These verses provide a plethora of things to consider as we live life with our friends.
Friends…sometimes it is hard to live with them; however, you can’t live without them. The power and potential they bring you – both for your good if you have godly friends and for your harm if you have foolish friends – are unmeasurable. Friends are part of God’s grace in your life, especially if you have friends who are pursuing and worshipping Christ.
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Pastor Kevin’s Blog | Walking together through life as friends in Christ sharing wisdom along the journey