Relationships That Last

Relationships that last are the ones built on truth. They are the ones centered on the Gospel. Of course I am speaking in terms of Christian fellowship. There is a pervasive thought in Christianity that relationships supersede truth. That no matter what the cost friendships must be maintained over something as treacherous as a compromise of the Gospel.

All friendships have a foundation. The question is what is it? For some it is a matter of commonalities of personality, goals, occupation e.t.c.  (not that these are bad things). But when we are talking about relationships in the body of Christ, they must be founded on the Gospel of Jesus Christ. And when the Gospel becomes compromised then the relationship becomes compromised or completely ruined.

Faithfulness to our Master is of far more importance than to any human relationship. It is hard to remain friends with those that mangle the only thing that unites us. Paul was willing to cut off his friendship with the apostle Peter when he became aware of Peter's hypocrisy (which was tantamount to a compromise of the Gospel. Gal. 2:11-14). By God's grace, Peter repented of his hypocrisy and later reconciled to Paul and speaks well of him (Pe. 3:15-18). Relationships that are worthy to be maintained are those which are centered on truth.

I have been recently humbled by two families that have been willing to lose friendships and suffer verbal persecution because they stood for the Gospel when their church has long abandoned it. They called upon the pastor's that were are teaching a different Gospel to repent of this grave error. All to no avail. Now they face ostracization by some people they considered friends in that church. Having met them it is obvious they love Christ and the people of God. So much that they were willing to do something that has caused them much personal grief and suffering. But Christ comes first. He is their foundation and against all odds they spoke up to defend His name and to protect Christ's people. Some of whom they thought were real friends. I have talked with one of the men and his love for Christ has humbled me. His devotion to the truth of the Gospel has been an answer to prayer.

These are the friendships that you hang on to and develop. These are the ones you learn from. You grow together in the knowledge of Christ. You can be honest with each other and spur one another on to love and good works. In simple words- it is genuine fellowship and therefore a true friendship. These are what  we should long for. Superficial friendships last for a time but genuine fellowship, centered on Christ, will remain for all of eternity. 

Remember the friendship of Jonathan and David:

"As soon as he had finished speaking to Saul, the soul of Jonathan was knit to the soul of David, and Jonathan loved him as his own soul. And Saul took him that day and would not let him return to his father’s house. Then Jonathan made a covenant with David, because he loved him as his own soul.  And Jonathan stripped himself of the robe that was on him and gave it to David, and his armor, and even his sword and his bow and his belt. And David went out and was successful wherever Saul sent him, so that Saul set him over the men of war. And this was good in the sight of all the people and also in the sight of Saul’s servants" (1 Sa 18:1–5). 

"And Saul spoke to Jonathan his son and to all his servants, that they should kill David. But Jonathan, Saul’s son, delighted much in David. And Jonathan told David, “Saul my father seeks to kill you. Therefore be on your guard in the morning. Stay in a secret place and hide yourself. And I will go out and stand beside my father in the field where you are, and I will speak to my father about you. And if I learn anything I will tell you.” And Jonathan spoke well of David to Saul his father and said to him, “Let not the king sin against his servant David, because he has not sinned against you, and because his deeds have brought good to you. For he took his life in his hand and he struck down the Philistine, and the LORD worked a great salvation for all Israel. You saw it, and rejoiced. Why then will you sin against innocent blood by killing David without cause?” And Saul listened to the voice of Jonathan. Saul swore, “As the LORD lives, he shall not be put to death.” And Jonathan called David, and Jonathan reported to him all these things. And Jonathan brought David to Saul, and he was in his presence as before" (1 Sa 19:1–7). 

 "For no one can lay a foundation other than that which is laid, which is Jesus Christ" (1 Co 3:11).

Soli Deo Gloria!

For His Glory,
Fernando