This may be a little scattered up in parts, but I pray that it may encourage you in any of your friendships, Past, Present, and Future….
I can think of no greater personal let down than having a friend fail us. Another way of putting it is often looked upon as..betrayal. The enemy loves it when friends betray one another. In a way, if we betray someone..we are working as one of satans dominions. We are allowing ourself to be used to break unity and cause strife and division. Isn’t it a shame so many of us sisters in christ allow the enemy to use us this way?
However, there can be situations where the intent on the part of a (presumed friend) is/was to betray. I have expirenced this as of lately. If that is true, one must confront the betrayer. ( Luke 17:3 ) Many a friendship has been destroyed by betrayal… You hear about it in the news every once in a while how a trusted lifetime friend pulled one over on a unsuspecting so called friend, often times regarding life savings etc.
Hearing such stories makes us think about our own friendships that we have in our lives. It makes us question the motives of our friendships.
The Son of God was betrayed with a kiss… No wonder Jesus said not to put our trust in anyone but Him. (Matthew 6:19 -21, 33) Jesus trusted Himself to no one except His Heavenly Father… ( John 1:24-25; 6:15) He alone, above all can be trusted…About 4 years ago while out dining with a friend, she and her husband told me to never fully trust them. I thought it was absurd at the time hearing such a comment..I bluntly asked why? , and they told me because they are mere man, and because they are sinners…That is why they WOULD fail me!
WOW! Something to think about…
Where does this leave us, one might ask….
Friends can and will fail us when our expectations are set too high…This has been my problem many times. I am very trusting..My husband always has told me this. I see people at face value and once they become my friends..I do have a tendency of placing them on a pedastul.
Let me shout out to the world now…. But Jesus never fails. AMEN!!
God’s Word tells us that a real friend sticks closer than a brother, and that in order for one to be a friend, one must show themselves friendly (Proverbs 18:24). Real friendships looks at the heart, not just the packaging. Genuine friendships loves for love’s sake, not just for what it can get in return… True friendship is challenging. It risks… it overlooks faults…and it loves unconditionally, but it also involves being truthful,Loyal and honest. Genuine friendship, also called agape love comes from the Lord…. The Lord Jesus calls us His friends and He laid down His life for us (John 15). AMEN!!
We must leave room for the providence of God…Yes, sometimes it can be hard..but we must. The foundation stones of the Kingdom of God is forgiveness as stated in the Sermon on the Mount. Gods enemy loves strife and division..we must not let him win.. (Matthew 6:12, 14 – 15)
An unforgiving spirit will give birth to revenge…We are not immune to sin. Revenge’s thirst for blood is never quenched… There is no need to look further for a remedy….It is very hard to forgive someone who hurts us OR betrays us. It takes much prayer. Jesus Christ broke down the wall of separation though… (Ephesians 2:12 – 16) Jesus says, that the offenses of this world will come. This includes your friendships. He also instructs His disciples how to handle offenses. (Luke 17:1 – 4) Notice, His disciples are never to cease from forgiving those who trespass against them. As Jesus Christ is the exact representation of His Father…. His disciples are to be an exact representation…
In conclusion..It takes much prayer,dying of self, and a mature Christian to forgive a brother or sister who has hurt and betrayed them..
