The fact that Jesus is a friend of sinners means that He is our friend and is waiting for us to acknowledge His presence and availability. God’s love for us is almost beyond imagining. To be a “friend of sinners,” Jesus subjected Himself to living in a fallen, depraved world, for we “all have sinned and fall short of the glory of God” (Romans 3:23). Despite our sinful condition, Jesus desires a relationship with us.
Faithful are the wounds of a friend; profuse are the kisses of an enemy. Proverbs 27:6
So, what can we learn from this proverb? What exactly is a “faithful wound?” To be faithful here means to provide strength and staying power. The faithful wound of a friend will help us be built up, supported, nurtured, established as an authentic friend, someone who sticks closer than a brother. Those kisses are one’s of an enemy…enough said. But it might help us to see how they are described. You see an enemy may give only deceitful kisses in my estimation. Thus, we learn that we cannot trust actions alone. When someone is giving us far more affection and congratulation than normal, we might want to be careful about basking in their hero worship and it might be deceitful in nature.
We also need to learn to accept the wounds of our friends as gifts rather than harsh comments that get on our nerves. It may be better to receive a wound than a kiss. For this may only be a prelude to something far worse, while the wound is given only for the purpose of blessing us in the end. The outward can be deceitful. As God says, “the issue is the heart”.
“Bear one another's burdens, and so fulfill the law of Christ”. Galatians 6:2
You ever progressed down that road of emptiness where you longed to find your, “roaring lion of a companion, that kills no game” A sense of acceptance would wash over you whenever people would unnerve your narrative and then, without any attempt to know them you indirectly would compare them to others that grasped your “why”, thinking they knew your nickname, as a spiritual friend. You then turn your mental focus on your milk toast “self”, as your character of ignorance would walk away. Asking why me lord, where’s the divine relational life.
It takes courage to face the truth. Have you ever tried to identify a grain of truth about yourself, feel in the blank, on your own? What you would like to change or better yet, what does God want in creating us? what God wants is friendship. When thrown against the wall of adversity you can be a tennis ball or an egg. One cracks, one bounce back, which one will you be. How bright is your light? I believe that God would also be pleased.
“In the same way, let your light shine before others, that they may see your good deeds and glorify your Father in heaven”. Matt 5:16
Can you relate? Have you ever felt like you had no real friends? While it is nice to reach out to others, you would be wise to realize that most people have a hard time striking up new friendships because of trust. So rather than showing antipathy, give an effort. How about you take the initiative toward building lasting brotherly love? Scrutinize things you might be doing wrong and change the course of your missional story as a reflection of Jesus and live the life given as a Christian comrade with love. Ask yourself: Is the essence of Christian friendship a companionship forged in the fire of Jesus that satisfy the soul and his kingdom. Isn’t it worth living for the who? Jesus! What is the wise thing to do?
“When there is no enemy within, the enemies outside cannot hurt you” African proverb
A wonderful biblical example of this type of closer-than-a-brother friendship is what existed between David and Jonathan. They became fast friends following the battle in which David killed Goliath. David wrote a lament for his friend: “Jonathan lies slain on your heights. I grieve for you, Jonathan my brother; you were very dear to me” (2 Samuel 1:25-26). Their friendship was stronger than David’s relationship with any of his own brothers. we owe it to our neighbors to lovingly share with them the good news of the gospel and be a David to all!
“Do not conform any longer to the pattern of this world, but be transformed by the renewing of your mind.” Rom 12:2 We can make events in life happen for us instead of letting them happen to us!
Whatever you do, do all to the glory of God. 1 Corinthians 10:31
The world’s idea of tenderness in friendship is making much of one another: “I can’t live without you!” Kind words and assures of devotion quickly give a brief and false adrenaline rush of status and worth. We certainly need to encourage and affirm one another, but Christian friends should be far more focused on God’s authority and significance not their own or their friend’s.
Like everything else, the end goal of our friendships should be God and his glory. Since our hearts are prone to wander away and worship other things, we need these constant reminders of his glory and his worth in our friendships.
Remember, Jesus was known as a “friend of sinners” (Luke 7:34), and He has promised, “Never will I leave you; never will I forsake you” (Hebrews 13:5). Jesus is truly the Friend who sticks closer than a brother, and blessed are those who have Him as their Friend (John 15:14). Jesus showed that “God’s kindness is intended to lead you to repentance” Romans 2:4. Jesus led a perfect, sinless life and had the “authority on earth to forgive sins” Luke 5:24. Because of that, we have the opportunity to experience a transformed heart and life.
When Jesus’ enemies called Him a “friend of sinners,” they meant it as an insult. To His glory and our eternal benefit, Jesus endured such slights and became “a friend who sticks closer than a brother” Proverbs 18:24.
God Bless You and This Ministry!
