what kind of friend are you?

do you all agree that the friends you choose, those who you surround yourself with, play crucial parts in who you are becoming? the people we let into our lives all shape us in some ways, whether big or small, good or bad. which brings me to this story in Luke 5:17-26 and Mark 2:1-12.

this story is about Jesus healing a paralyzed man, on the account of others. when Jesus had returned from Capernaum, people had heard that He returned home. at once ‘many were gathered together, so that there was no more room, not even at the door.’ and when four men showed up carrying a paralyzed man on a bed, they could not find a way in because the crowd was literally pouring out of Jesus’ house. so, determined to see this man healed, the four men made their way onto the roof and after ‘removing the roof above Him, and when they had made an opening, they let down the bed on which the paralytic man lay.’ when the paralyzed man lay on the bed in front of Jesus, and He ‘saw their faith, He said to the paralytic, “son, your sins are forgiven”’ and the paralyzed man was healed and picked up his bed and walked right out of the house, glorifying God, in front of everyone. all the people in the crowd were ‘seized with amazement’ at what they had just witnessed.

this paralyzed man was saved because Jesus saw the faith of his friends! the man that was laid in front of Jesus could do nothing, could not be a part of this crowd, and if he didn’t have these friends ultimately, he would not have been saved that night, he would not have been healed that night, and many many people would not have been amazed at the power of Jesus that night.

        so, you see the power of your friends, the ones you surround yourself with, hold a lot of weight in your life. you need to choose carefully, choose wisely, who you want to be surrounded by and what kind of friend you want to be.  

i want you to reflect. reflect on your friends, are they life-giving? are they pushing you towards Jesus? would they find any way to get you in front of Jesus if you needed it? now i want you to reflect on the kind of friend you are. are you a friend that is leading the group toward Jesus? do you love well or are you selfish? are you cynical or joyful? would you drag a friend onto the roof to see Jesus or are you leaving them outside because the house is overflowing, and you tried your best? most importantly, does your friendship leave others amazed at the goodness of God?

be the friend that gets others saved, and if your whole friend group is striving for that people will be amazed at the goodness of God and we will see a revolution. a revolution in our homes, at our schools, in our friendships, in our cities, our states, our countries. the most empowering part is that it all starts with you. be bold for the Kingdom of Heaven.

-n0tbychance