I “like” a lot of stuff on facebook. I “like” everything from music to baseball to television shows. It’s easy to “like” something. All you have to do is click the button and instantly you’ve become a “fan”. However, it goes beyond the “like” button.
I can “friend” people too.
I have over a thousand friends on the social network. I don’t say that to brag, it’s just the truth. I meet new people all the time from preaching at various locations and meetings with the global church (someone told me once I’ve never met a stranger so that might help too). After my encounters with new folk it seems that the next day we’ve instantly become “friends” online. What blows my mind is how these people enter my “live feed” from every walk of life. Some “friends” are close to my past, others are close to my house, some even live with me (alright, that’s just my wife. Corinne doesn’t have a page yet. Give her some time, she’ll get there).
So what, get to the point.
When it comes to the criteria of picking friends and allowing people to impact your life beyond the computer screen, the standard for biblical friendships must meet the biblical standard, not the digital criteria of clicking a button.
Think about what qualities God want in your relationships…
Check the Heart: Proverbs 27:19 “As water reflects a face, so a man’s heart reflects the man.” My closest friends in this world are passionate about one thing; Jesus. They speak about Him in almost every conversation. Even in simple conversations about baseball or computers, it seems that Jesus makes His appearance present.
Ask yourself: Are you passionate about Christ? Are your friends?
Check the Motive: Romans 12:15 “Rejoice with those who rejoice; mourn with those who mourn.” Not only do my close friends seep Jesus, they understand the struggle of following the Spirit. Christianity isn’t the wide road, it’s narrow and unpaved. It’s full of ups and downs so having a friend that is with you in your spiritual “highs” and “lows” is a must.
Ask yourself: Are you there for your friends in both their positive and negative spiritual walk? Are they there for you?
Check the Purpose: Proverbs 14:30 “A heart at peace gives life to the body, but envy rots the bones.“ A close friend is one who won’t hold a grudge. Not only that, close friends don’t envy your stuff and you shouldn’t envy theirs. It’s one thing to want to better each other, it’s another thing to become jealous. This includes their personal spiritual gifts.
Ask Yourself: Do you envy your friends and what they have (think internally and externally)? Do they envy you? Are you all seeking each other’s best?
Those who I allow to influence my heart on a true friendship level beyond the computer screen are passionate for Christ, motivated to stick by my side throughout the struggles of becoming like Christ, and stuck on building up the believer instead of becoming jealous over the individual blessings of God.
Are your friends “like” that?
Think about it.
-jordan
