Christian Living

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Larry Lilly's Letter Monday March 2, 2009

Good Friends Should Argue

My hardback book, "Lasting Friendship In 30 Days" is moving along in sales and some large orders are in process from several study groups. For this I am thankful and word of mouth is starting to take off; perhaps in Shack fashion?

To say that I enjoy learning how to BE a better friend and writing about it is understatement. A long time friend of mine, whom I affectionately call "Wild Irish Betty" a rather dignified SP sent a note to me with the following by Lillian Daniel:

"One of life's most underestimated treasures is the rich friendship between those who care enough to argue. In my friendship with God, amidst the grace and mercy sometimes it's the occasional rebuke that most reminds me that I am loved."

True biblical friendship is not all syrupy sweet, nor saccharin laced, but it often has a little vinegar in the cup. The stinging rebuke of a friend is often a call from above to get your act together and thus be saved from some really humiliating consequences. Paul wanted to go one place, but his close friend, God, would not permit the trip. The principle is simple, "A true friend realizes the risk and takes it to help a friend with advice he may not want to hear." There is risk in that, not being God, we could be wrong, therefore we should NOT be ticked off when a friend does not take our advice. Hey, we can try, but we have to acknowledge that we are NOT God. And a friend, if we are right in our thoughtful warning to a friend, NEVER says, "I told you so."

That we told our friend so is burning in his/her mind and heart and the dread of you pointing out your advice in the past is enough without you actually doing it.

Lillian Daniel points out the Jesus did NOT choose His friends from some perfect circle. Friends are NOT piston rings and therefore they are not perfect, and we, like Jesus must accept this, and furthermore we must accept that unlike Jesus, we have no mechanism wherewith we can make them perfect. God through Christ is working on that.

The scriptures are replete with references to God as our friend as He was to Abraham. Jesus takes it a step further and teaches that all who are his friends are to get with the program and take up His cross and follow.

The ultimate designation of Christ as our friend is given in Proverbs 18:24 "A man that hath friends must shew himself friendly: and there is a friend that sticketh closer than a brother." This thought is further expounded in Hebrews 13:5 "Let your conversation be without covetousness; and be content with such things as ye have: for he hath said, I will never leave thee, nor forsake thee."

When everything and everyone has forsaken you, He will still be there.

Take a look at my website description of my book, "Lasting Friendships In 30 Days." The site address is given and also my address from which you may order the book. Testimonials to the help the readers are getting from the book are piling up. And if you send a check to purchase the book and do NOT like it, return it and I will send your money back. See website for full details.

Larry Lilly Copyright (C) 2009 Use with credit.


My new book, Lasting Friendships in 30 Days is ready at:
http://larrylilly.com/30Days.aspx

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