Let Us Care for One Another

Proverbs 17:17 A friend loves at all times, and a brother is born for adversity.

Prayer is infinitely important. It is our direct communication with God almighty and we should be constantly developing our relationship with God, through prayer. We also should fervently pray for our friends and brothers and sisters in Christ. Intercessory prayer is also vitally important. James reminds us:

The prayer of a righteous man is powerful and effective. James 5:16

As effective and essential as prayer is, we are called to do so much more as Christians. Unfortunately, we can become wrapped up in our own lives and things we have prioritized and forget that the people God has put in our lives are equally important. We can have a tendency to over-spiritualize in response to the needs of our friends as a way of feeling better about our lack of action. It is easy to say, "I will pray for you" but often times the person might need more than prayer at that point in time. This is not to minimize prayer, but to remind ourselves that as human being we have more temporal needs as well. In the book of James we are admonished:

Suppose a brother or sister is without clothes and daily food. If one of you says to him, "Go, I wish you well; keep warm and well fed," but does nothing about his physical needs, what good is it? In the same way, faith by itself, if it is not accompanied by action, is dead. James 2: 15-17

By the same token, if a brother or sister comes to us with the weight of the world bearing down on their soul and our only response is to say, "I will pray for you" or respond with a trite Christianism, of what good is that? Sure the prayer is important, but the immediate human need goes essentially ignored. This is why the bible is clear about the need to have friends and companionship in this life. God's design is not for us to be alone. It is the enemy that wants us alone because that is when his attacks can be more successful. We see this truth revealed in the Old Testament:

Two are better than one, because they have a good return for their work: If one falls down, his friend can help him up. But pity the man who falls and has no one to help him up! Also, if two lie down together, they will keep warm. But how can one keep warm alone? Though one may be overpowered, two can defend themselves. A cord of three strands is not quickly broken. Ecclesiastes 4: 9-12

Pity the man who has no one to help him up! But God has put people in our lives that we are to walk with and help up in their times of need, as they will help us up in ours. It is critical though that we are attuned to their needs and that we do not allow the busyness of our lives to interfere with our Godly responsibilities to be there for them. Proverbs 17:17 provides us with two simple truths.

The first is that a friend loves at all times. Friendship is not to be based upon convenience but upon the bond God has provided between two persons. The friend does not just love when it is expedient for them. A friend does not just love when things are going well. The bible implores us in this verse that a friend loves at all times. As Jesus was preparing for Calvary, He taught His disciples one of their most important lessons. He washed their feet to show them the depths of true love and friendship. It requires servitude. We must be willing to serve our friends.

When he had finished washing their feet, he put on his clothes and returned to his place. "Do you understand what I have done for you?" he asked them. "You call me 'Teacher' and 'Lord,' and rightly so, for that is what I am. Now that I, your Lord and Teacher, have washed your feet, you also should wash one another's feet. I have set you an example that you should do as I have done for you. I tell you the truth, no servant is greater than his master, nor is a messenger greater than the one who sent him. Now that you know these things, you will be blessed if you do them. John 13:12-17

Having a sacrificial mindset when it comes to friendship can be difficult. We live in a me-first world that rewards selfishness. We are constantly bombarded with the usual chaos that life brings daily. It is seems almost unnatural to think of others before ourselves. Lowering ourselves takes unbridled humility. But the Apostle Paul reminds us that the prime example of lowering humility is Christ Himself:

Your attitude should be the same as that of Christ Jesus: Who, being in very nature God, did not consider equality with God something to be grasped, but made himself nothing, taking the very nature of a servant, being made in human likeness. And being found in appearance as a man, he humbled himself and became obedient to death-- even death on a cross! Philippians 2: 5-8

A friend loves at all times through humility. Through placing the needs of others above their own. The second truism uncovered on Proverbs 17:17 reveals the true nature of God's design for friendship. A brother is actually born for adversity! That is why God has placed your friends in your life! God recognizes that while prayer is important, it is also crucial that we have friends to lean upon during the very times of adversity that often require prayer! Is it important that we are praying for our friends? Absolutely. But do not think that typical Christian responses are all that is required when adversity strikes. We all need people to be there for us. To listen to us. To console us or to advise us. God is telling us through this Proverbs verse that it is specifically for adversity itself that He has given us the friends that we enjoy. Looking just at the ministry of Jesus we see He not only preached, prayed and brought the word of God but he addressed the human needs of those who were put in His life. He healed them and freed them. He would also feed them because He looked on them with compassion (Matthew 14). Often before healing someone Jesus would ask them what they wanted. Certainly He knew their needs but He wanted to listen to them.

And that is very often all our friends want as well. Of course it is important that we pray for them and let them know that they are in our prayers but their immediate needs often go far deeper than that. Remember that a friend loves at all times, not just when it fits into our busy lives. Remember that it is the adversity your friend is going through that is the very reason God has placed you in their lives. Let us care for one another through compassion as Christ gave us through the example of His life. Let us live sacrificially in servitude. The enemy wants us alone. God's design is the opposite. Embrace true friendship today and live as Christ wants us to live.

Anthony Wade May 16, 2008