LOVE AND FRIENDSHIP
Monday – July 8, 2019, Tamuz 5, 5779
Greetings to all and welcome back to this in-depth Bible Study of the Book of John. The Lord, our God is the only living God and is so merciful and so gracious to us all, saint and sinner alike. If you are reading this on Facebook please take a moment and hit the “like” and “share” buttons so I know you are engaged and sharing these Truths. The featured pictures this week are from a recent trip to Samoset Resort in Rockport Maine. Now let’s turn our attention to our study by reading the primary Bible text aloud.
John 11:5-10 (KJV)
5 Now Jesus loved Martha, and her sister, and Lazarus.
6 When he had heard therefore that he was sick, he abode two days still in the same place where he was.
7 Then after that saith he to his disciples, Let us go into Judaea again.
8 His disciples say unto him, Master, the Jews of late sought to stone thee; and goest thou thither again?
9 Jesus answered, Are there not twelve hours in the day? If any man walk in the day, he stumbleth not, because he seeth the light of this world.
10 But if a man walk in the night, he stumbleth, because there is no light in him.
As many of you will recall we have started into the account of Lazarus being raised from the dead. Jesus has gotten word of his illness and the messenger referred to Jesus as being a friend of Lazarus. I spent a little time last week talking about the difference between a friend relationship and a love relationship. In the Kingdom of God, the love relationship is first then the friendship relationship. We don’t learn to love people; we love them by the command of God and our will. Perhaps you have heard the saying that we are commanded to love (agape) everyone but not to be friends (phileō) everyone. The reason I am bringing this up is that in the fifth verse of our text we are told that Jesus loved (agape) Martha, Mary, and Lazarus. Concerning friendship let’s consider what James has to say on the topic.
James 4:4 (KJV)
4 Ye adulterers and adulteresses, know ye not that the friendship of the world is enmity with God? whosoever therefore will be a friend of the world is the enemy of God.
Remember that the idea behind friendship has to do with liking or having a fondness for a person or way of doing things. So, this would not preclude going to lunch for example with an unsaved person(s) but would preclude say going to their home or elsewhere and watching pornography, joining them in taking the Lord’s name in vain, or adopting their thoughts and words contrary to the Word of God. Dear saints it is very important that we engage with the world around us otherwise how can we be a witness but it is important that there be a clear and distinct difference. We must not adapt or allow the thoughts of the world nor the words of the world to get into our thoughts and words. Remember, that as we think (have faith in) is what we will have in our lives and our words will either bring good or evil into our lives.
The world, the peoples, need to see the difference and that the difference has a very positive impact in our lives. That positive impact is not a life of being in peoples faces with our Church talk but being a demonstration project for the Lord of His goodness in our finances and health. His goodness (glory of God) does not mean that we adjust and deal with poverty and disease with equanimity. It means that we dominate in the financial arena and that we have the health and healing of Calvary in our physical bodies. How does this all come about? We must adopt the thoughts and words of God not of the world. The more we think, talk, and act like the world the more we will have the results of the world. Yes, we will end up in Heaven but with our tail between our legs. The more we think, talk, and act like God, like Jesus, our life will look more like that of our Heavenly Father (yes, that is possible), more like Heaven upon the earth. That is the will, the plan of God. Just think about what Jesus said when the disciples asked how they should pray.
Luke 11:2 (KJV)
2 And he said unto them, When ye pray, say, Our Father which art in heaven, Hallowed be thy name. Thy kingdom come. Thy will be done, as in heaven, so in earth.
Let’s take a look at this in another translation.
Luke 11:2 (AMP)
2 And He said to them, When you pray, say: Our Father Who is in heaven, hallowed be Your name, Your kingdom come. Your will be done [held holy and revered] on earth as it is in heaven.
Jesus was not poor; Jesus had a very large and wonderful home in Capernaum. Is there any Bible evidence that Jesus or His entourage were poor or that they were ill? Short answer, No!
Until our next publication, as a Bible Teacher and Prophetic Voice I speak this blessing over each and every one of you, receive it by faith in Jesus name!
Numbers 6:24-26 (AMP)
24 The Lord bless you and watch, guard, and keep you;
25 The Lord make His face to shine upon and enlighten you and be gracious (kind, merciful, and giving favor) to you;
26 The Lord lift up His [approving] countenance upon you and give you peace (tranquility of heart and life continually).
By: Dr. David Wood, Author, Bible Teacher, and Prophetic Voice
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