Does Your Friend Tell It to You Straight?
There are many ways to look at how we should live our lives.
- Some say follow your heart; do whatever you think is best; there is no right or wrong.
- Others declare life is short; live like there is no tomorrow.
- Still others hold to doing what “feels” best because “it’s nobody else’s business.”
- And there are those who believe you are doomed if you don’t do just the right things.
But only one vantage point gives us a true picture of what living should look like: the view through God’s lens. How different that is:
- Our heart is often foolish and misleading. It’s not a trustworthy leader. And God makes it clear there is right and wrong (Jeremiah 17:9) (Proverbs 28:18)
- There is a tomorrow; in fact, there is an eternity. We need to live in light of that. (2 Corinthians 4:18)
- Like it or not, how we live affects and influences those around us. As we do so, it makes it their business. (Proverbs 13:20)
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We are steeped in sin and cannot possibly save ourselves. It is only through the death and resurrection of Jesus Christ that righteousness and redemption are possible. (Ephesians 2:8–9)
I love that God did not leave us alone to travel this sometimes confusing road. In His grace, He gave us His Word, the Holy Spirit, and even friends.
Some people will try to sell you on a worldview that follows one of the first four bullet points. But true friends will help you live your life as defined by the Lord’s lens, by following the truth of the last four.
True friends will encourage, console, and, yes, gently rebuke and redirect you straight into the arms of Jesus (see Galatians 6:1).
I am thankful for those friends in my life who help me define my stumbling and bumbling walk by looking through Divine eyes instead of human ones.
How about you?
True friends will help you live your life as defined by the Lord's lens, by following the truth. They will encourage, console, and gently rebuke and redirect you straight into the arms of Jesus. Click To Tweet
“Wounds from a friend can be trusted, but an enemy multiplies kisses” (Proverbs 27:6).
Reflections: Has a friend ever wounded you in love? Are you willing to be that kind of friend?
By His grace ≈ Julie
This post was originally a 5-minute Friday piece.
Find hope in your real-life struggles. We'll chase it together! I am a wife; mom of 4 (including a young adult daughter with special needs); miscarriage mom of 5; author & follower of Jesus Christ. I write, edit, speak and enjoy everything outdoors.
Thanks so much for your reminder that true friends rebuke in love…that is a facet of friendship that is so hard to embrace sometimes (both for the rebuker and the rebuked). Blessings to you.
I agree, Kimberly. And it has to be done with much grace.
Nice post! You say, “only one vantage point gives us a true picture of what living should look like: the view through God’s lens.” This is true, but what does it mean to see through God’s lens? What does it mean to gently rebuke and redirect someone straight into the arms of Jesus? Does this mean reminding them of the religious ‘rules’ they should follow? Or is it something else?
Aah, the million dollar question. And one which needs to be addressed with grace and love. First, I think of seeing through God’s lens as meaning to use God’s Word as a filter in my life. Following Christ is not about a list of do’s and don’t’s, it is about a relationship with Him. As He makes me a new creation, restoring and transforming, I desire to surrender my life and die to my flesh to live more like Him, however, I must know what I am dying to–what I am surrendering. The Bible helps me to realize the joys and treasures I’ve been blessed with as well as the sins of my flesh. This gives me a better appreciation of grace. And just as children need to be guided in their actions as they learn what is right and wrong, I, too, need to know what is righteous and good, so I can put on more Christ and shed more of me. Yet, precisely because of my sin nature, I am often blind to sin in my own life (pride, lust, gluttony, hatred, strife, greed, bitterness, resentment, etc.). That’s where a close friend or two is invaluable. In grace and love for me and our Lord Jesus Christ, they can help me (and have) realize areas in my life that I need to release to Him. They help me remove the “log” in my eye so I can better see. It is not about religious “rules” at all but knowing how to serve and revere a Holy and loving God, to walk closer with my Redeemer. Thanks for the great questions!
such good reminders, Julie.
Thanks, Natasha.
Awesome post.
Aww, thanks Denise!