In the Company of Godly
Friends
Last week I received two phone calls that came completely “out of the blue.” Friends were calling to see how we are
coping with all of the changes and challenges of the pandemic world we live in.
We talked for a long time, sharing what we were learning and how we were
adjusting to everything. It was a joy to spend some time “together.”
Friendships like that enrich us and make us better people.
They help us to face tough circumstances and to act with grace and godly
character. It is no surprise that we become like the people that we associate
with; we become like the people that we hang out with. As we rub shoulders with
godly men and women, something rubs off on us.
The use of the word ‘walk’ in Proverbs 13:20 follows the
same principle of the word in the New Testament. It can be substituted with the
word ‘live,’ and is reflected in the following verses from the book of
Ephesians:
Walk worthy of the
calling you have received (Eph. 4:1).
You must no longer
live (or walk) as the Gentiles do, in
the futility of their thinking (Eph. 4:17).
Be imitators of God,
therefore, as dearly loved children, and walk a life of love, just as Christ
loved us and gave himself for us as a fragrant offering and sacrifice to God
(Eph. 5:1-2).
Be very careful, then,
how you live – not as unwise but as wise, making the most of every opportunity (Eph.
5:15-16).
Living the Spirit-filled life includes walking alongside and
learning from Spirit-filled people. We are called to walk with people in the
community of the faithful. This is a valuable resource which enables us to grow
in our relationship with God, and become the people God wants us to be.
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