S.S.S. Study Christian Character Traits Week 6

S.S.S. Study Christian Character Traits

Family School at Faith Baptist Church

Week 6: Friendliness

What is a friend/ What does a friend do?

Do I have to be friendly as a Christian? With other Christians? With the lost?

Friendliness in the bible

Of God- Creation Genesis 1:1, Salvation John 3:16, Unchanging and unconditional Malachi 3:6.

Of Gods Son- Creation , Teaching Luke 11:1, sacrificing 1st John 3:16, pleading, Hebrews 7:25

Of Gods people- James 1:19, listens, forgives,  Luke 11:5-8 is giving even when not convenient, Romans 12:10 prefers others first.

Of the world- Romans 1:28-32 (this is where America is at today).

In comparing the friendliness of this world to BIBLICAL Christian friendliness, we discover the purpose for why we ought to be BIBLICALLY friendly, it is so contrary to the flesh (which drives the lost sinner) that even the enemies of God would take note of it.

What about my relationship with the lost?

There is a huge difference in being someone's friend, and being friendly to someone.

James 4:4, friendship WITH and OF the world is enmity against God, why? John 15:19    "If ye were of the world, the world would love his own: but because ye are not of the world, but I have chosen you out of the world, therefore the world hateth you." We have two options as Christians, 

1. Get too cozy with the world, accept their sin, (through omission) oppose Gods law. (you do not necessarily partake but you don't condemn either) Proverbs 17:15, Malachi 2:17, God wants His children to stand for His word, live by His law, and portray His Son to the lost world, you must stand against sin, no matter who stands for it.

2. Get cozy with Gods word, Love His law, and oppose sin.

Psalm 119:92,97, Psalm 119:11, 1st Peter 3:10-12

(This option often eventually involves offending carnal "Christian" or worldly friends and family with truth from Gods word, it is difficult because you deal with these people face to face. Whereas in option 1. God is the offended party and sadly, we are more comfortable many times letting God down than those around us).

"I am not afraid to offend people who offend God!" Pastor James Knox

So where does the balance come in? We aren't supposed to condone sin, or be friends with the world, yet Christ is referred to as the "friend of sinners" and we are commanded to reach the lost for Him. Something we cannot effectively do while being unfriendly towards them.

Colossians 4:2-6, 1st Peter 3:11

Christ is the friend of sinners, not because He partakes in or condones their sins, but because He offers forgiveness for them, through the ultimate act of friendliness and love, John 15:13.

The best way that we can show the world the friendliness of Jesus Christ is to live a life of BIBLICAL friendliness ourselves, and point them to the cross every chance we get.