In His Name Devotionals
FRIENDS MAKE A DIFFERENCE
In His Name Devotionals
FRIENDS MAKE A DIFFERENCE
“A man of many companions may come to ruin, but there is a friend who sticks closer than a brother.” (Proverbs 18:24)
Is there any proper parent who is not concerned about the friends that their children choose? Were you ever as a teen given the ‘20 questions’ ordeal about the person you were going to be with one evening or weekend? Parents realize that the friends we keep can influence us—some for good, some for bad. The apostle Paul went so far as to say that ...evil companions corrupt good morals” (1 Corinthians 15:33). Could we reverse this by saying, “good companions generate good morals?”
A New Testament character named John had a good friend—some even say they were best friends. This friend was quite special. You see He was God! That’s right, God in the flesh. He went by the name of Jesus. John ate with Jesus, traveled with Jesus, listened, talked with, and observed Jesus for about 3 years. Do you think being a friend of God would make a difference?
Early on we see John upset with people who rejected Jesus and John wanted to call down fire from heaven to destroy them (Luke 9:51-56). Jesus rebuked John for having such a spirit of condemnation of people. Another time we see John wanting to be first (in charge!) in Jesus’ kingdom (Mark 10:35-45). But later we see a John who Jesus entrusted the very care of His mother, Mary, into his hands. We see a John who wrote: “...let us love one another, for love comes from God. Everyone who loves...knows God. Whoever does not love does not know God.” (1 John 4:7-8).
John knew God. He was a friend of God’s Son. He changed because of the influence of this friend. Your friend’s do make a difference. Do you know John’s friend?
