Losing Friends

This picture was taken in 1942. The two men were best friends from the age of five, when the one on the left moved to a farm near the one on the right, my Dad. Their friendship lasted a lifetime, though there were many differences in their likes and dislikes. One thing they had in common was their love of our Lord. Even though they differed in some doctrinal questions, they both shared that love, between themselves and with others.

While I know none of the six were perfect, I doubt they fit into these categories:

For the time past of our life may suffice us to have wrought the will of the Gentiles, when we walked in lasciviousness, lusts, excess of wine, revellings, banquetings, and abominable idolatries: (1 Peter 4:3 KJV)

Perhaps they lost friends because they didn’t fit it:

Wherein they think it strange that ye run not with them to the same excess of riot, speaking evil of you: (1 Peter 4:4 KJV)

That can happen to new Christians, their old friends think it strange that they no longer do the things they used to, things that were in excess or matched verse 3. They not only think it strange, they talk about the strangeness.

New Christians enjoy different things – going to church, fellowship with other believers, learning more and more about God and how He works in our lives. The sad thing is, some drop out of these activities. I did, for several years. I stopped learning. I stopped attending.

It really didn’t take long before I ached – first for a place where I could worship the Lord, make a joyful noise before Him and feel His presence.

Seek ye the LORD while he may be found, call ye upon him while he is near: (Isaiah 55:6 KJV)

It may cost friends, but it will bring blessings. Guaranteed:

Blessed are ye, when men shall revile you, and persecute you, and shall say all manner of evil against you falsely, for my sake. (Matthew 5:11 KJV)

There’s that speaking evil of us, again. It’s worth it:

Rejoice, and be exceeding glad: for great is your reward in heaven: for so persecuted they the prophets which were before you. (Matthew 5:12 KJV)

We’d be in good company then, wouldn’t we? Most certainly among friends!!