Friendship Abandonment
Toy Story 3 gets me every time. Just when their fate, the burning inferno of garbage, seems inevitable, they are rescued by “The Claw.” Before their rescue they make a brave decision to hold hands, signifying their love and unity. They have been dear friends and they will not be parted, even by death. They are going to endure the fire together.
I’ve been thinking about the value of deep friendships. I’ve had friends who have struggled with various trials and fallen into grievous sin and I’d like to think that as they faced the fire I’ve held their hand. So I wonder, when our friends face tough stuff, really hard things, do we abandon them? I wondered if I ever found myself in a really hard situation spiritually, who would stick with me to fight the good fight of faith.
I’d like to think I have incredible friends who would not abandon me. I’d like to think I’d be that friend because after all, I am guilty of great sin. I really am, I’m not speaking “Christianize.” I didn’t come to know the Lord until my early 20’s which provided plenty of opportunity for cultivating sin in my life. But even if I were squeaky clean prior to conversion, we know our hearts are sinful and need of God’s regenerative work and power (Ephesians 2:1-8).
And as always, we look to Jesus and see he was (is!) a friend of sinners. “The Son of Man came eating and drinking, and they say, ‘Look at him! A glutton and a drunkard, a friend of tax collectors and sinners!’ Yet wisdom is justified by her deeds.” (Matthew 11:19 ESV) He was mocked and rejected for his friendships to sinners. He was mocked and rejected for his friendship to those unworthy. He is still mocked and rejected for us.
Jesus loves the unworthy, needy, sinner. He wants them (us) to know His love and forgiveness. God does not reject us like we reject others, rather he welcomes us and invites us to worship Him! He invites us to receive friendship, love, grace, salvation, reward, favor, and so much more.
So I wonder, have you abandoned and rejected a friend in need? Perhaps it’s a friend who has made a mistake. There is wisdom in distancing ourselves from someone who is unrepentant and therefore may bring us along with them. We do not want to be deceived: “Bad company ruins good morals” (1 Corinthians 15:33). But I wonder if more often our actions are more selfish and self righteous and less about self preservation for godliness.
The good news is, we can be good friends. God can show us, if needed, where we have been tempted to self-righteousness and abandonment. He can and will give us the wisdom and strength to be friends. He is a supreme example of friendship to sinners—sinners like you and me.
“A man of many companions may come to ruin, but there is a friend who sticks closer than a brother.” (Proverbs 18:24 )
“A friend loves at all times, and a brother is born for adversity” (Proverbs 17:17)
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