A friend loveth at all times, and a brother is born for adversity (Prov

"A friend loveth at all times, and a brother is born for adversity" (Prov. 17:17). This one verse can really sum up our calling as children of God, as pertains to relationships that we have among ourselves. The apostle Paul put this simplistic truth into a little more detail for us: "Look not every man on his own things, but every man also on the things of others. Let this mind be in you, which was also in Christ Jesus: Who, being in the form of God, thought it not robbery to be equal with God: But made himself of no reputation, and took upon him the form of a servant, and was made in the likeness of men: And being found in fashion as a man, he humbled himself, and became obedient unto death, even the death of the cross" (Philip. 2:4-8). It is quite evident that Jesus and the Father were and are looking after the good of others, seeing it was for our sake alone that Jesus was sent by God to suffer and die. While it is true that if no one else's heart is with us, God's is; it is also true that it is a shame to every child of God whose heart is not literally with the hearts of their brethren and everyone else around them who is in need. It is very easy to say and even to believe that our heart is with others around us and abroad, but be certain that our doings will tell the real story: "Even a child is known by his doings, whether his work be pure, and whether it be right" (Prov. 20:11). It's been said, and rightly so that our actions speak louder than our words. The truth of the matter is that as long as we are 'trying' to be what we're supposed to be in Christ, we will not be it. We can be like Jesus only if and when we do as the quoted scripture says, and "Let this mind be in you, which was also in Christ Jesus." If we have received God's Spirit and we allow that Spirit to put sin to death in our lives, we will simply be led by the Spirit to be what we are supposed to be (Rom. 5:5; Rom. 6:6; Gal. 5:22-24). The heart that is circumcised from the fleshly nature and remains that way, has no more strain bearing the fruit of the Spirit than an apple tree has bearing apples. Loving people with God's love is just the natural thing for an obedient child of God to do (Eph. 5:1,2). If our hearts are not with those we are closest to then we are fooling ourselves to think that they are with everyone else. Allow me to quote our text verse again: "A FRIEND loveth at all times, and a BROTHER is born for adversity." A friend or a brother is someone who is very close to someone. I'm also fully aware that "there is a friend that sticketh closer than a brother," but that only proves that Jesus is who and what he is. What about us? Jesus being who and what he is will not save us if WE fail to be who and what he is.

The apostle Paul had the testimony that he was supposed to have, and all of his actions backed up his words: "I am crucified with Christ: nevertheless I live; yet not I, but Christ liveth in me: and the life which I now live in the flesh I live by the faith of the Son of God, who loved me, and gave himself for me" (Gal. 2:20). God and his Son are love, and love cares and is concerned, like them. And Paul's is not just the testimony of a major apostle my friend, but rather it is the calling of every child of God. In fact it is the only new commandment that Jesus left for us to fulfill: "A new commandment I give unto you, That ye love one another; as I have loved you, that ye also love one another" (Jn. 13:34). A lot of folks are wrapped up these days in ministry, teaching, spiritual gifts and the like; but often forget the heart of the calling which is for our hearts to truly be with one another's hearts, and the hearts of others in need. If you're shooting for the pinnacle then shoot for that. If we miss that mark then we have missed THE mark, as the scripture confirms: "And though I have the gift of prophecy, and understand all mysteries, and all knowledge; and though I have all faith, so that I could remove mountains, and have not charity, I am nothing" (I Cor. 15:2). You think those are just embellished examples? Then embellish this: "Many will say to me in that day, Lord, Lord, have we not prophesied in thy name? and in thy name have cast out devils? and in thy name done many wonderful works? And then will I profess unto them, I never knew you: depart from me, ye that work iniquity" (Mat. 7:22,23). It is certainly iniquity to be so bound to our own concerns that we are unconcerned about the legitimate cares of others around us. Spiritual gifts, ministry, miracles, and teaching should come as a result of our keeping the heart of the faith in our hearts, not vice-versa. If we're keeping sin out of our hearts and souls as we are commanded to do, it is only by the power of God's Spirit that we are doing so. And if we are doing so then there is nothing left in our hearts but "the love of God [that] is shed abroad in our hearts by the Holy Ghost which is given unto us" (Rom. 5:5). I assure you that that love will make you "a friend [who] loveth at all times," and "a brother [who] is born for adversity." I may note here that the scripture is speaking of the adversity of someone else, not ours personally. So what is left to say? Only this admonition of the apostle Paul: "Examine yourselves, whether ye be in the faith; prove your own selves. Know ye not your own selves, how that Jesus Christ is in you, except ye be reprobates?" If it is Jesus Christ that is in us, be it known that "Jesus Christ [is] the same, yesterday, today, and forever" (Heb. 13:8). And be it known that he left heaven and came here solely for our sake, not his own. Amen.