A friend loves at all times, and a brother is born for a time of adversity. Proverbs 17:17 NIV (Friends and Brothers)
True friendship and devotion are displayed in the life, love, and sacrifice of Jesus Christ. In John 1:12 we read, “But as many as received him, to them he gave the right to become God’s children, to those who believe in his name. WEB” As believers in Christ, we are his friends and brothers. And what a friend to have in times of trouble. Christ leads us through adversity with the eternal victory he won over sin and death on the cross.
Loyalty and love in relationships are godly traits. In John 15:13, Jesus says, “Greater love has no one than this, that someone lay down his life for his friends. WEB” As Christians, we have the greatest friend in Jesus who willingly gave his life to save ours from the penalty of sin. A friend who loves at all times, the Lord assured us in Matthew 28:20, “Behold, I am with you always, even to the end of the age. WEB”
Friends of Christ
When addressing his disciples in John 15:15 Jesus said, “No longer do I call you servants, for the servant doesn’t know what his lord does. But I have called you friends, for everything that I heard from my Father, I have made known to you. WEB” As friends and brothers of Christ, we openly share the contents of our heads and hearts with our Savior just as he shared the truth of God with us.
Joint Heirs of God
Paul affirmed our kinship with Christ in his letter to the Romans. Reasoning that Christians inherit God’s holy kingdom, Paul wrote in Romans 8:17, “and if children, then heirs: heirs of God and joint heirs with Christ, if indeed we suffer with him, that we may also be glorified with him. WEB” Just as Jesus willingly suffered for us, as friends and brothers of Christ, we willingly endure hardship in the faithful service of our friend, brother, and Savior, Jesus Christ.
Brothers and sisters of faith, we have the blessing of God’s undying love in good times and in bad. In addition, we have the God given responsibility to love one another. But more than that, as friends and brothers of Christ, we can count on the Lord always loving us. As joint heirs in the kingdom of heaven, Jesus is always present to help us in times of trouble.
Prayer: “Father God, thank you for loving me. Thank you for the encouragement of your holy word. Help me to love like you. Guide me to support my brothers and sisters of faith in times of adversity. In Jesus’ name – Amen”
Yesterday’s Devotional: The Only True God
