A Friend Like Paul

I appreciate this picture of my children...it captured a moment when they were friends not just siblings. Our 5 J's are normal children, who fight and have rivalries like all, but they also enjoy one another and remind me family can be friends. Which is what we need to do as members of God's family. We are sisters in Christ and can also be friends in the faith!

This morning as our pastor preached a unique thought crossed my mind. We've been studying 1 Thessalonians and as we worked through verse 12 of chapter 3 today, I thought, "I want a friend like Paul." That's not a bad thought, but it's not something I can control, which is why I believe the Spirit immediately put a new thought on my heart - "Be a friend like Paul."

I'm guessing chances are pretty high you're not in a verse by verse study of 1 Thessalonians or one of Paul's other books, so let me share a bit about him. Learning about this man of God can help us each be a faithful friend in the faith.

As I prepared to write this post, I quickly jotted down words that came to mind as I thought about Paul as a friend. Looking over them I noticed the first letters could be arranged to spell H-E-L-P. If you want to be a friend who helps others, I pray these examples from Paul give you some direction.

H - Honest
If you've spent any time studying a book Paul wrote you know he tells the truth. He is aware of what is going on in his life and the lives of those he is writing to. In 1 Thessalonians, he shares his heart with the people. He points out the good, but doesn't ignore reality either. He acknowledges his role and lives out his calling without fear of what the people will think.

E - Encouraging
Don't you love receiving a letter from a friend? Real mail is such a rarity in our world today, but it is a treasure. Words are powerful and our greetings are too. Think of the power in Paul's opening words to the people..."We always thank God for all of you and continually mention you in our prayers. We remember before our God and Father your work produced by faith, your labor prompted by love, and your endurance inspired by hope in our Lord Jesus Christ." (1 Thessalonians 1:2-3) He goes on to remind them of shared experiences, powerful truths and life-changing promises. Paul's words provide encouragement, which is a gift we all need from time to time.

L - Love
We don't "see" love in Paul's letter in the same way we might include it in ours. He goes beyond closing with a simple and quick, "love you." Instead, he expresses love in different ways. First, he takes the time to put his heart on paper. Next, he shows the people the time they shared together was important as he recounts details. Finally, he tells of his desire to see them face to face. Reading his books assures you of the love he has for the people he ministered to. Do friends know you love them through the words you use?

P - Pray
The most powerful way we can help our friends is through prayer. Paul provides countless examples of this in his letter to the Thessalonians. He mentions prayers of thanksgiving and supplication. We see his prayers or recaps of them throughout his writing. We too must thank God for our friends and ask Him to help them.

Finally, the most important characteristic we need to take from Paul is his faithfulness. Clearly, he is faithful to our heavenly Father. His relationship with God is right, which enables him to be in good standing with those he loves, teaches and ministers to.

Friend, may you and I be faithful as well....first to God and then to the friends He's put in our lives. God clearly can use people in the lives of others, He did that with Paul and can do the same with us. How can you be a friend like Paul? Is there someone who needs your honesty, encouragement, love and/or prayers? Will you be faithful to be the friend God's called you to be?

Heavenly Father, thank you for friends. I'm grateful you are a friend that sticks closer than a brother. Thank you for the friends you've placed in my life. I'm grateful for their honesty, encouragement, love and prayers. Thank you also for your Word. May I learn from Paul's example and be a faithful friend. In Jesus' Name, Amen.