Walk the Talk | Authentic Faith
Living as a True Friend of God
Although we don’t like to admit it, churches are not immune to fights and quarrels. Nothing can destroy the unity of a congregation, and its effectiveness as a witness for the Gospel, then disunity among its members. Jesus said, “a new command I give you: Love one another. As I have loved you, so you must love one another. By this everyone will know that you are my disciples, if you love one another” (Jn. 13:34-35).
Where is your allegiance?
1. Friendship with the world (vs. 1-5)
- We must intentionally guard against cultivating a friendship with the world (cf. Jn. 17:15-16; Eph. 6:12)
- 3 things to be aware of:
a. The pull of friendship with the world originates from the desires that battle within us (vs. 2) (cf. Rom. 7:19-25; 1 Pt. 2:11)
b. Conflict within ourselves, with others, and with God originates from the desires that battle within us (vs. 1-2)
c. Unfaithfulness to God happens when we turn to the world to satisfy the desires that battle within us (vs. 4-5)
Judging by the way you are living your life, the decisions you are making, the pleasures you are pursuing, or the sinful attitudes you may be possessing (anger, hatred, envy…), would you say that you have underestimated the gravity and danger of cultivating a friendship with the world? “Anyone who chooses to be a friend of the world becomes an enemy of God.” How strong is your friendship with the world?
2. Friendship with God (vs. 6-12)
- As we battle conflicting desires, the good news is, “He gives us more grace” (vs. 6; cf. 2 Pt. 1:3; 1 Thess. 5:23-24)
- 3 ways to invest in strengthening our friendship with God:
a. Take His Word seriously (cf. James 1:22; Jn. 15:14)
b. Submit to His authority in our lives (vs. 7; Ps. 51:10-12)
- resist the devil forcefully, seek God repentantly, pursue purity holistically, treat sin seriously, trust God completely (vs. 7b-10, borrowed from David Platt)
c. Seek to honour Him with our words and actions (vs. 11-12)
Take time to honestly evaluate if you are living as a true friend of God. Do you take His Word seriously? Do you daily submit yourself to His authority in your life, evidenced by your obedience to His commands? Is it your desire to intentionally honour Him with your words and actions (cf. 1 Cor. 10:31)? Based on your self-examination, where is your allegiance?
“By His grace and power, let us live as true friends of God, in community with one another!”
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