Friendship and fellowship
Aren't good friends great to have?
Friendship is one of life’s most enriching experiences. In 1 Samuel 20 David
and Jonathan had a strong friendship but it was put under considerable strain.
Jonathan warns and helps David to escape and even blesses him, v 13, “May the
Lord be with you as he has been with my father.”
The communal lament in Lamentations
5 finishes with a plea for renewal and restoration. Note in v 21 “Restore
us to yourself, Lord, that
we may return; renew our
days as of old” - only God can do that restoring, of friendship
and fellowship with himself.
In 1 Corinthians 2 Paul repeatedly
uses we, plural rather than I in verses 6-16. We, in fellowship, together in
church, we speak of God’s wisdom, we have received the Spirit and we have the
mind of Christ. Paul continues to focus on the cross, he realises intellectual
persuasion doesn’t save people, v 5.
Isn’t it amazing that the same
Spirit of God who searches and knows the thoughts of God is within us? The
Spirit helps to restore our relationship with God so we can enjoy friendship
and fellowship with him. What a friend we have in Jesus! Remember Proverbs
17:17, a friend loves at all times. Give thanks for good friends today and pray
for our fellowship, renewal and restoration together at Christ Church
(member of the PCC)