Philippians 1:7-8

New American Standard Version

7 For it is only right for me to feel this way about you all, because I have you in my heart, since both in my imprisonment and in the defense and confirmation of the gospel, you all are partakers of grace with me. 8 For God is my witness, how I long for you all with the affection of Christ Jesus.

Pastor’s Paraphrase

          It is no surprise that I love you all as I do because God has placed this deep affection for you in my heart. It makes no difference that I am shackled in a prison cell for my passionate defense of the truth of the gospel because, whatever my circumstance, you are my faithful partners in this wonderful

blessing of God’s grace. The Lord, Who fully knows my heart, can help you

understand how deep my affection is for you and how great my desire to see you again really is.

 “How does this help me become more like Him?”

          Everybody needs friends.  Nobody enjoys being truly alone.  Even the Lone Ranger had Tonto!  Relationships with others are a basic need of all of our lives.  We all long for friends with whom we can just be ourselves with no need of pretense or constant fear that we will say or do something that would cause them to judge or misunderstand us.  It is a wonderful blessing to have friends who you just enjoy being around and who don’t expect anything from you except your friendship.

          The value of those kinds of friendships takes a quantum leap when it is shared between committed believers.  Not only do you have the bond of enjoying each others company but you share a common focus and value in life – a love for and commitment to the Lord Jesus Christ.  They understand what is important to you and they know how to celebrate with you when times are good and love you and pray for you when times are tough.  Those kinds of friends are pure gold and we all need them.

          The Apostle Paul, the great giant of the early church, also needed such friends.  He had them among the Philippian believers.  He loved them and was thankful to God for them.  They cared about him not only for what he had done for them but as a person as well.  They proved their love and support for him in both tangible and intangible ways.

          If you have those kinds of friends, thank God for them.  Pray for them and let them know how much you appreciate them.  Let them know in spoken and unspoken ways that you will be there for them no matter what.  Let them know that you are thankful to be their friend whether you are barbecuing steaks in the back yard together or crying with them in front of the open casket of a family member they have lost.  Help them to somehow understand that you count it an honor to be their friend.

          If you don’t have such a friend – keep praying for one.  Most of all, be ready to BE that kind of friend when God sends someone to you and makes that “friendship connection” that you just sense is from Him.  It’s an old saying but its true – “to have a friend, you must be a friend.”

“How should I pray for Him to change my life?”

Thank the Lord for the true friends that He has given you.  Pray that you will be an encouragement to them in their walk with Christ and every other area of their life.  Ask Him to give you natural opportunities to let them know how much you appreciate them and value their friendship in Christ.

END