(Mal 3:16) Then those who feared the LORD spoke to one another, And the LORD listened and heard them; So a book of remembrance was written before Him For those who fear the LORD And who meditate on His name.
It’s great to know the Lord and have Christian friends who believe as you do. You share the same values and you have so much in common. You also don’t feel so alone out there on that narrow road. But let me ask you a question: When you get together with your Christian friends do you have a Malachi 3:16 time?
You see, you and your Christian friend already have John 3:16 in common. You know you are fellow believers on the way to heaven because of God’s gift of Jesus. But when you get together do you experience friendship or fellowship? There’s a true difference between the two. In friendship you can talk about sports, romance, food, fun, experiences, memories, etc. But fellowship is when you get together and turn your John 3:16 into Malachi 3:16. It’s when you go the next level and share Christ together through discussion of the Word, prayer, and encouraging each other in the Lord.
Are you able to go that next level with your Christian friend? Maybe there is a fear of being perceived as overly spiritual. Maybe one is reticent of going deeper in the things of the Lord. Or, maybe someone is waiting for the other person to take the lead. Yes, that could be it!
When you bring Christ into your relationship then you truly go from friendship to fellowship. When you are able to relate to each other on the spiritual level you have transcended to a dimension of your friendship that is exciting and full of potential. In fact, Malachi 3:16 says when you speak to one another of the things of the Lord, God takes note . . . and takes notes!
I encourage you . . . go to the next level of your friendship by bringing in the things of the Lord. The best friendship takes three . . . you, your friend . . . and Jesus! (Eccl 4:12) . . . a threefold cord is not quickly broken.
Louie