A Godly Friend

Among the things that Paul is urging his brother in Christ to pursue is godliness, and I believe it’s the duty of every Christian to pursue godliness or a godly life. ‘Pursuing’ indicates it’s a choice we make, the choice to live a godly life and commitment to grow, amidst all the difficulties we encounter.

Peter indicates in his letter that ‘His divine power has given us everything we need for a godly life through our knowledge of him who called us by his own glory and goodness’ (2 Peter 1:3). So, the more we know the Lord, the more we’ll live a godly life. A godly life is the foundation which Christ-like character is build upon. Paul also says ‘in your relationships with one another, have the same mindset as Christ Jesus’ (Philippians 1:5).

Part of godliness is selflessness. Each of us shouldn’t just look after our own interests, but also the interests of others. This is our calling, and it’s the attribute of a true godly friend. That’s why I’d like to emphasise its importance in the Body of Christ.

Sometimes we go through conflicts, and, in the midst of them, we can fail to think straight, due to the pressure of the conflict or our struggles in life. At this point we may feel the need to turn to a friend who’s godly.

If we’re that godly friend, we shouldn’t feel we’re special, or superior to the one who’s coming to us for help. We should be humble, and feel privileged to be a vessel that the Lord’s chosen to use at that moment to reach out to one of His own.

In Proverbs, Chapter 10, we read that ‘the words of the godly are a life-giving fountain’, ‘the mouth of the godly person gives wise advice’, and ‘the lips of the godly speak helpful words’. But, contrast that with this statement, ‘with their words the godless destroy their friends’ (Proverbs 11:9).

So, it’s our obligation, if we’re godly, to leave people better than we found them, feeling encouraged, rather than downcast. The godless destroy their friends with their words, but this was never meant for us, as members of the Body of Christ.

We read that ‘whoever refreshes others will be refreshed’ (Proverbs 11:25). Do we refresh others when they come to us? If we do, then our fountain will flow with fresh water. It won’t be stagnant, because there’ll be both intake and outlet. We’ll be refreshed, as we refresh others. The hand that gives receives. The words of the godly bring healing, for they give good advice to their friends.

So, if we pursue godliness, the Body of Christ will experience healing, life, and freshness. There’ll be no room for backbiting, unhealthy competition, ill-thinking, treating others with contempt and selfishness. We’ll experience true friendship, where we watch each other’s back and protect each other from enemy attack.

Prayer: Lord, help me to leave a godly life, so I may always be a life-giving fountain in my conversation with others. Help me not to be a source of gossip or destruction to my brothers and sisters in the Lord. Forgive me if, in the past, I’ve given unhelpful advice, or misled any of Your children whom You brought to me. In Jesus’ name, Amen.