Growing up I had a friend who lived right across the road from me. John and I did a lot together. We took hikes in the woods and played football and baseball together in a vacant lot next door. I did not need a lot of friends growing up, just a couple.
As I grew up my circle of friends changed. Some became my drinking friends. That was a very negative influence. They were not true friends, but we did share certain behaviors in common, like enjoying going to parties.
Then I got saved and my circle of friends changed overnight. I discovered that there were others who shared a common love, a common joy, a common kindness, and a common gentleness. They were like brothers and sisters to me. I became a part of a new family, the family of God. No matter in what city, state, or country I have lived in, I have family there. As part of God’s family, we care for each other like family would, even though we just met. God’s Word tells us what our interactions with other family members is designed to look like.
“Therefore, as God’s chosen people, holy and dearly loved, clothe yourselves with compassion, kindness, humility, gentleness and patience. 13 Bear with each other and forgive one another if any of you has a grievance against someone. Forgive as the Lord forgave you. 14 And over all these virtues put on love, which binds them all together in perfect unity.” Colossians 3:12-14
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