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Godly Friendships

The series we've been in at church for the past month has been all about cementing friendships that are based in Jesus Christ. The series has largely focused on making sure your "inner circle", or closest 2-5 friends, are all pursuing God with everything they have. At my age, these sermons have really been hitting me hard. The people you spend the most time with will inevitably have a large impact on your life: the way you talk, the way you act, and the way you believe.

"Walk with the wise and become wise; associate with fools and get in trouble." -Proverbs 13:20

It is SO IMPORTANT to make sure you are being influenced by these close friends in a godly way. These friends should feel comfortable enough with you, and with their relationship with Christ, to be able to express when you are straying from your path to righteousness. They should have a positive influence on you and should be pushing you closer to God. They should be set apart in what they believe. Being set apart means that you don't fit in with every other believer. It is not someone who goes to church on Sunday but isn't actively pursuing the Lord every other moment of their lives. Someone who is set apart is someone who is evidently following Christ and it is obvious in every interaction they have.

All of your inner circle friends should also have God in their inner circle. In John 15:14, Jesus says, "You are my friends if you do what I command." He is simply saying that anyone who walks by faith and obedience towards Him is considered a friend of His. This is the most important friendship you could ever have; God wants us to be his friend and confide in him like one.

The bible makes several various references to the importance of friendship.

>"As iron sharpens iron, so a friend sharpens a friend." -Proverbs 27:17

>"Wounds from a sincere friend are better than many kisses from an enemy." - Proverbs 27:6

>"There are 'friends' who destroy each other, but a real friend sticks closer than a brother." -Proverbs 18:24

>"Don't team up with those who are unbelievers How can righteousness be a partner with wickedness? How can light live with darkness? What harmony can there be between Christ and the devil? How can a believer partner with a nonbeliever?" -2 Corinthians 6:14-15

>"The godly give good advice to their friends; the wicked lead them astray." -Proverbs 12:26

These many references are such a good reminder of the significance of choosing friends that are pursuing God as much as you are. I strongly believe the impact your inner circle has on you is a powerful thing. That influence should be 100% positive and fully pushing you closer to God.

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