"You are the average of the five people you spend the most time with." (Jim Rohn)
Who you spend time with would influence the person you eventually become.
Who you hang out with can elevate you as much as bring you down.
"Whoever walks with the wise becomes wise, but the companion of fools will suffer harm." (Proverbs 13:20)
Story of Rehoboam
The king abandoned the counsel that the old men gave him, and took counsel with the young men who had grown up with him.
The end result of what Rehoboam did caused the division of the tribes of Israel.
Just because of his one decision, the destiny of the whole nation changed forever.
Story of Timothy
"So flee youthful passions and pursue righteousness, faith, love, and peace, along with those who call on the Lord from a pure heart." (2 Timothy 2:22)
Paul urged Timothy to RUN AWAY from sinful desires, to RUN AFTER what is right, but never RUN ALONE.
The pursuit of righteousness, faith, love, and peace is NOT to be done alone but along with other believers.
Paul did not ask Timothy to put holiness, purity, and honorable works in one box, and then put friendship and community and in a separate box.
True friends pursue God together
Paul asked Timothy to learn about holiness and purity in the context of a Christian community.
Paul asked Timothy to pursue the Lord along with those who call on the Lord from a pure heart.
When the Bible talks about true friendship, the common themes are: holiness, purity, honorable works, pleasing the Lord
While we may keep our secular friends, we need other true friends in the Lord, whom we can run the faith journey together.
Reflections
In your faith journey, is there anyone who has been a blessing to you? Give thanks to God for these names.
Pray for true friends: that God will connect you to brothers and sisters who will become true friends in your faith journey
Pray for yourself: that you will also become such a friend, who will offer this kind of friendship to each other.
