John Donne’s cryptic phrase, “No man is an island,” is as iconic today as it was when he wrote it in 1624.
Donne goes on to say, “Every man is a piece of the Continent.”
What Donne is saying is that people are vital to our sense of who we are. They form our “hood,” to use a street term. People with similar goals nurture us. People with different goals challenge us.
We must treasure friendships that benefit us and distance ourselves from friendships that hold us back.
Here are six times the Bible gives us clear instructions on the friendships we build with those around us.
Luke 6:31 tells us our friends will reflect ourselves back unto us.
“And as you wish that others would do to you, do so to them.”
Proverbs 17:17 says our friends will be there in our time of trouble.
“A friend loves at all times, and a brother is born for adversity.”
Philippians 2:3 encourages us to put a high value on our friendships.
“Do nothing from selfish ambition or conceit, but in humility count others more significant than yourselves.”
Colossians 3:13 says to overlook unintentional slights and hurts from those we love.
“If one has a complaint against another, [forgive] each other; as the Lord has forgiven you, so you also must forgive.”
Galatians 6:2 expects us to be quick to offer to help when we can.
“Bear one another's burdens, and so fulfill the law of Christ.”
Proverbs 18:24 reminds us that we must be there for each other both in good times and in bad.
“A man of many companions may come to ruin, but there is a friend who sticks closer than a brother.”
John Donne went on to say, “If a clod is washed away by the sea, Europe is the less.”
The loss of a friend leaves a hole in our life. We become less. We are diminished, no longer complete.
People are made for one another. Let’s let the people we care about know we love them. They need to hear that they are important to us.
Our “hood” is our support team. We are meant to travel life’s road together.
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