The mark that distinguishes

By this all men will know that you are my disciples, if you love one another.
John 13:35 (NIV)

During a recent dinner party, I had the opportunity to socialize with quite a few people I'd not previously met. Conversations flowed, social etiquette was practiced, and for the most part guests shied away from the more delicate topics of politics and religion. Overhearing various conversations that took place around me, however, I realized that the belief systems in the room were almost as varied as the number of people in attendance.

The next morning as I mulled over the evening's event during my quiet time, I wondered if any of the people I met knew about my love for Jesus. For that matter, was it important that they knew. After all, it was a business engagement and not a faith-based affair.

Opening my Bible to the morning's devotional reading, I had a personal sense of some insight into my questions. "A new commandment I give you: Love one another. As I have loved you, so you must love one another. By this all men will know that you are my disciples, if you have love for one another" (John 13:34-35 NIV).

While I'm inclined to dig into God's Word to gain greater understanding, I'm pretty sensitive that I not tear apart every single word or phrase in a passage looking for meaning that doesn't belong. With that said, the "By this all men will know that you are my disciples" portion of the Scripture verse touched my heart.

The Greek word used in this passage is agape--unconditional love. C.S. Lewis (The Four Loves) describes agape, or charity, as love that brings forth caring regardless of circumstances or personal flaws. It describes God's love. The apostle Paul describes what true Christian love is like in his first letter to the Corinthians. He points out that the true measure of spiritual worth lies in self-giving love, no matter what great knowledge or gifts a Christian possesses.

The command is clear. God Himself is love and is the source and measure of all love. I do care that others know about that love. Consequently, if all men are to know that I am Jesus' disciple and if they are to come to this realization through my expression of charity, inherent in the command is that I am concerned for how I show that love.

God's Word provides wonderful illustrations of how Jesus expressed this love during His daily walk on earth. He was generous with His time and accepted what we would perceive to be interruptions in His day (Luke 9:11). Jesus took a keen interest in the people around Him, gave them His full attention, and actively listened to their needs (John 5:6, Luke 21:1-4). He always spoke truth (John 3:1-21,Luke 9:57-62, Matthew 6:9-15). He demonstrated compassion (Matthew 14:13-14, Mark 10:17-23), provided comfort (John 11:17-37), and extended forgiveness (John 21:15-19).

Dear friend, the mark that distinguishes is love. What if each person we meet could actually recognize that we are followers of Jesus by the way we "love one another"?

Blessings, dear friend.
Faithfully Following

A friend indeed

"Dear friend, I pray that you may enjoy good health and that all may go well with you, even as your soul is getting along well."
3 John 1:2 (NIV)

What are characteristics of a true friend?

According to the Merriam-Webster dictionary, a friend is a person attached to another by feelings of affection or personal regard; a person who gives assistance, a supporter; someone who is on good terms with another; a person who is not hostile. Wikipedia.org describes friendship as a mutually cooperative and supportive behavior between two or more people. While rather obvious, it's important to note that friendship involves a connection between or among human beings.

Let's take a look at several accounts in God's Word and behaviors demonstrated between people considered friends.

Equality
Jonathan and David made for an unlikely friendship. The eldest son of Saul, the first king of Israel, Jonathan was heir to his father's throne. The shepherd boy, David, on the other hand, was the youngest of Jesse's eight sons and quite insignificant. In fact, when King Saul turned away from following the LORD God and God sent the prophet Samuel to Jesse's home to anoint the future king of Israel, David was all but forgotten until Samuel asks, "Are these all the sons you have?"

Coming to love David as himself, Jonathan presents David with his own royal robes and armor as an acceptance of David as his equal. (1 Samuel 18)

Loyalty
Initially, people are quite often drawn together by a common interest, such as a hobby, work, or shared passion. While on his fourth missionary journey, the apostle Paul met a Jew named Aquila and his wife Priscilla in Corinth. (Acts 18) Tentmakers by trade, Paul stayed and worked with them; and sometime later, they accompanied Paul when he sailed to Syria. Later, Paul acknowledges his friends in his letter to the Romans stating, "Priscilla and Aquila, my fellow workers in Christ Jesus, risked their lives for me." (Romans 16:3)

David and Jonathan's friendship endured even when it became clear that David was to replace Jonathan as successor to his father's throne. Realizing his father's intentions to kill David, Jonathan devised a plan to save his friend's life. With great sadness and reaffirming their friendship, Jonathan and David part ways declaring, "Go in peace, for we have sworn friendship with each other in the name of the LORD." (1 Samuel 20:42) Later, hearing of Jonathan's death, David honors his friend with the song of the bow. (2 Samulel 1:18)

Exhort
Good friends urge, encourage, and hold one another accountable. Writing in his letter to the Philippians, "Rejoice in the Lord always. I will say it again: Rejoice!" Paul is adamant about thinking on those things that are true, noble, right, pure, lovely, and admirable--anything that is excellent or praiseworthy. In so doing, "the God of peace will be with you." (Philippians 4:8-9)

When the apostle Peter buckles under pressure from a group called the Judaizers, going against what he knows to be right concerning the gospel message, Paul opposes him. Holding Peter accountable, Paul reminds Peter of the truth he learned from Jesus. (Galatians 2)

Pray
King Nebuchadnezzar of Babylon is on a rampage. Angry and furious that his magicians, enchanters, sorcerers, and astrologers are unable to tell him what his distressing dream was and interpret it, the king orders the execution of all the wise men of Babylon. Learning of the execution order, Daniel, a young man from Jerusalem taken into captivity by Nebuchadnezzar along with friends Hananiah, Mishael, and Azariah, calls on his friends to plead for mercy from God that they not be executed with the rest of the wise men of Babylon. God reveals the king's dream and the meaning to Daniel and everyone is saved. (Daniel 2)

In the New Testament book of James, the apostle urges we pray when in trouble or sick for the prayer of a righteous man is powerful and effective. (James 5:16)

Transparent
True friendship allows for no hidden agendas with friends sharing with one another genuine emotions, needs, and joys.

In his letter to the Philippians, Paul expresses gratitude for the concern and aid shown him writing that it's good for others to share in his troubles. With authentic, emotional appeal, Paul also pleads for his young companion Timothy to do his best to come quickly because another co-worker, Demas, has deserted him. (2 Timothy 4:9-13) "Only Luke is with me," he writes. "Get Mark and bring him...when you come, bring the cloak that I left with Carpus at Troas, and my scrolls, especially the parchments."

Luke, Paul's travel companion, shares one particularly tender moment of transparency in Acts 20. Preparing to leave Ephesus for Jerusalem, Paul encourages church leaders to continue in their work. He kneels down with all of them and prays. Realizing they will never see each other again and bidding farewell, they weep and embrace one another, finally tearing "ourselves away from them we put out to sea."

Time
Today's technologically-oriented, internet-savvy, linkedin/twitter/facebook, social-media society can create a false impression that friendships can develop without experiencing face-to-face encounters. While I thoroughly enjoy aspects of the internet helping me stay in contact with friends, there is no substitution for personal, face-to-face time for a relationship to mature.

During His time on earth, Jesus dedicated three years teaching and mentoring a group of twelve men. Returning from a preaching experience, excited to share all they had done and taught, Jesus tells the twelve, "Come with me by yourselves to a quiet place and get some rest." (Mark 6:31)

Friendship. A gift from God that's blessed in every part, born through love and loyalty, conceived within the heart. Celebrate the blessing of friendship with someone who has filled your life with its precious joys.

Blessings, my friend.
Faithfully Following

Tribute to a friend

Joanne E. Sampl
November 28, 1961 - August 20, 2009

"Sing, O Daughter of Zion; shout aloud, O Israel! Be glad and rejoice with all your heart, O Daughter of Jerusalem."
Zephaniah 3:14 (NIV)

Until I received the phone call informing me that my friend had died, I stubbornly prayed for her complete healing. I was on my knees many days pleading to our Lord God with words barely audible through my sobs.

With my eyes shut tightly and the telephone pressed firmly to my ear, I listened to Michael's words, "Joanne is with the Lord now." All I could reply was, "So. I guess it's finished then."

Joanne Sampl was my dearest girlfriend. According to my pea-sized brain -- borrowing a phrase from author and speaker Sharon Jaynes -- I believe Joanne died way too young. She was only 47 years of age.

Once asked by his teacher what the definition of a friend is, a young boy replied, "It's someone who knows what you're like and they still like you." That description fit Joanne beautifully. She knew me, and she still liked me.

Joanne moved into the house across the street from my home seventeen years ago. Our becoming friends was rather unique as with the exception of the first year of our friendship, we never lived in the same state, much less in the same town. The framework that linked our lives was formed through handwritten letters (yes, using cursive writing), telephone calls, and e-mails. The added times we spent together during summer vacations, Thanksgiving and Christmas holidays, and an occasional retreat stamped our relationship with a 'face.'

Her two boys and my son and daughter often watched us in amazement. They wondered at our skill to talk for hours at length and carry on, at minimum, three different conversations at one time. Thankfully, our husbands understood. Girlfriends. Enough said.

It's been a little more than two years since I learned of Joanne's diagnosis of cancer -- a day I remember as if it were yesterday. We cried together in that phone call and I remember informing her quite adamantly that dying was not an option. After all, what would I do should she die. She was my best friend. In her quick-witted humor and not one to let such a self-righteous, self-serving comment pass, Joanne responded, "Oh, yes. That's right. It is all about you, isn't it."

During one of our last conversations, we talked about her greatest disappointment in dying. Joanne's comment, "I won't get to experience future grandchildren with Michael," led us to consider more deeply what happens when a person dies. Will she be able to see her grandchildren from heaven? Encouraging me to dig for an answer, Joanne assigned me the task to research our question.

With God's Word in hand and Christian teachers at my side, this is what I learned: I don't know if Joanne will be able to see her grandchildren from heaven. But, this is what I do know.

By the grace of God Joanne realized she was a sinner in need of a Savior. (Romans 3:23; Romans 6:23)

Jesus Christ, the One and Only True Son of God, loves sinners. He died for our sins and rose again from the dead. (Romans 5:8; Acts 10:40-42)

Joanne knew Jesus is her Savior; He alone is the Way for eternal life in heaven. (Romans 10:9-13; John 14:6; Ephesians 2:8-9)

Heaven is a real place. (John 14:1-3; Acts 7:56; Hebrews 11:9-10; Revelation 21:1-2)

Joanne understood heaven is her eternal home; and the instant she died, her soul was in the presence of our Lord God. (Matthew 6:20; John 14:1-3; Romans 8:38-39)

There is no sadness in heaven; and while Joanne's mortal body rests in the ground, her eternal soul is in a condition of unimaginable peace and joy, a splendor the likes of which we cannot imagine, much less describe. (Revelation 21:3-5; 1 Corinthians 2:9)

Time on earth is not like time in heaven. One day Jesus will return in glory to earth and Joanne will receive a new body that's perfect, healthy, and without disease. (1 Corinthians 15:51-57; 2 Peter 3:8; Philippians 3:20-21)

I am grieving the death of my dear friend. But my sorrow is not without hope because there is one thing of which I am absolutely certain. By God's grace I, too, am believing Jesus died for my sins. When He returns one day, our Lord will bring with Him all who have died believing Him. I look forward to that grand reunion with loved ones who have died in faith. (1 Thessalonians 4:14)

Author and speaker Mary Southerland writes, "For the believer in Jesus Christ, heaven is the heart and soul of our faith. It is reality! For the unbeliever, heaven is a dream, a wish."

Yet, I miss Joanne. Part and parcel of grieving, this pain will gradually pass. Our relationship was such a beautiful gift from God; and as the days and months go by, I will continually discover the influence of her friendship on my life. In fact, when all is said and done, I realize Joanne's final "assignment" was more for my benefit than for her's. Even in her dying, she knew how to encourage me. "Take it to Jesus, Bon." she'd say. "Take it to Jesus." For now, I don't have all the answers; but some day I will know. (1 Corinthians 13:12)

My friend, what about you? Eternity is but one breath away and it's either heaven with Jesus or hell without. Those who trust in the redemption won by Christ our Lord pass from death to life. Not choosing Jesus is choosing hell; there are no other options. (Revelation 20:11-14)

By the grace of God, will you today recognize that you, too, are a sinner in need of a Savior; confess your sins before Jesus; and trust that in His love He saves you? (Romans 10:13)

Should we never meet this side of heaven, let's plan to meet on the other side.

Blessings, dear friend.
Faithfully Following

PS If this is the first time you've confessed your sins before Jesus and received His gift of forgiveness, I am celebrating with you! Please don't walk this new journey of faith alone. For your relationship with Jesus to mature it is important to remain in His Word daily, become involved with a Bible-teaching church, and receive encouragement from fellow believing Christians.

Take a friend with you

“Instead, I have called you friends, for everything that I have learned from my Father I have made known to you.”

John 15:15b (NIV)

God was very purposeful in His amazing creation of the heavens and earth—and of everything in it. Distinctive in that is God’s creation of mankind.

When creating light; night and day; dry ground and seas; vegetation; sun, moon, and stars; and all living creatures of the air, sea, and land, God said, “Let there be…” (Genesis 1). Creating mankind, the “LORD God formed the man from the dust of the ground and breathed into his nostrils the breath of life, and the man became a living being” (Genesis 2:7).

Where God (Elohim) stresses the power of God as creator, the double title LORD (Yahweh) God (Elohim) stresses that the God of creation is also the God who comes into relationship with man, revealing Himself to man and caring for him. Built in the aspect of relationship is the role of friend.

The Bible includes many examples of friendship, including David and Jonathan (1 Samuel 18:1-4); Daniel and his friends Hananiah, Mishael, and Azariah (Daniel 2:16-18); Paul, Priscilla, and Aquila (Romans 16:3-4); and Paul, Timothy, and Epaphroditus (Philipians 2:19-25).

Jesus Himself had friends while living here on earth. Surrounding Himself with twelve men whom He taught and carefully discipled, Jesus also had an inner circle of three close friends—Peter, James, and John.

Without doubt, the ultimate friendship is with God. The Scripture writer in Exodus describes Moses speaking with God as “one speaks to a friend” (Exodus 33:1); and Abraham, whose faith was credited as righteousness, was “called God’s friend” (James 2:23).

More than a century ago Joseph Scriven penned the words of a poem to comfort his mother who was living in Ireland while he was in Canada. What a Friend We Have in Jesus became one of our greatest hymns when musician Charles C. Converse set that poem to music in 1868.

What a Friend we have in Jesus,

All our sins and griefs to bear!

What a privilege to carry

Ev’rything to God in prayer!

Oh, what peace we often forfeit,

Oh, what needless pain we bear

All because we do not carry

Ev’rything to God in prayer!

Have we trials and temptations?

Is there trouble anywhere?

We should never be discouraged,

Take it to the Lord in prayer.

Can we find a Friend so faithful

Who will all our sorrows share?

Jesus knows our ev’ry weakness

Take it to the Lord in prayer.

Are we weak and heavy laden,

Cumbered with a load of care?

Precious Savior, still our Refuge

Take it to the Lord in prayer.

Do thy friends despise, forsake thee?

Take it to the Lord in prayer;

In His arms He’ll take and shield thee,

Thou wilt find a solace there.

(Source: The Lutheran Hymnal, Concordia Publishing House)

Dear friend, the LORD God is the friend for all time. He is mighty to save, takes great delight in us, quiets us with His love, and rejoices over us with singing. He has a plan when we’re confused, is faithful when we fail, and certain when we’re scared. We can trust Him for His promise to never leave us, to never forsake us.

Next time we meet, let’s take a look at characteristics of being a friend.

Blessings, my friend.

Faithfully Following