DCLM DAILY MANNA 15 MARCH 2021 – TRUE FRIENDSHIP
TOPIC: True Friendship (DCLM Daily Manna 15 March 2021)
TEXT: Proverbs 17:15-20 (KJV)
15 He that justifieth the wicked, and he that condemneth the just, even they both are abomination to the LORD.
16 Wherefore is there a price in the hand of a fool to get wisdom, seeing he hath no heart to it?
17 A friend loveth at all times, and a brother is born for adversity.
18 A man void of understanding striketh hands, and becometh surety in the presence of his friend.
19 He loveth transgression that loveth strife: and he that exalteth his gate seeketh destruction.
20 He that hath a froward heart findeth no good: and he that hath a perverse tongue falleth into mischief.
KEY VERSE: “A friend loveth at all times, and a brother is born for adversity.” – (Proverbs 17:17)
MESSAGE:
The love of Christ for humanity is unconditional. He loved us even when we were unlovable. Christ is the Friend who loves at all times regardless of one’s condition, “For when we were yet without strength, in due time Christ died for the ungodly. But God commendeth his love toward us, in that, while we were yet sinners, Christ died for us” (Romans 5:6,8).
The love of Christ constrains us all to love God and our fellow humans in a perfect way. True love will not allow unjust judgment to happen because God is just in all His ways. The love of God made Him to procure salvation for us free of charge. No man can fully pay for this salvation, which cost Christ His life.
In the world, a true friend could love at all times but not at the expense of his own security and internal peace. Christ is the only Friend that deserves our unlimited trust and confidence. Humans are naturally deceptive, unreliable and undependable. But Christ, our only true Friend, is ever reliable and unfailing. He became a surety for the human race voluntarily and unconditionally through a perfect display of selflessness and His vicarious death.
No one can manifest true friendship except there is a heart regeneration through the new birth experience. Sinners and backsliders cannot be true friends except they repent and come to Christ for pardon so that they would receive a heart that is capable of loving. Believers are to show unconditional love for sinners, the ungodly and the enemies of Christ by praying for them and taking the gospel of Christ to them so they too can begin to understand and enjoy the love of Christ.
THOUGHT FOR THE DAY:
There is no other friend like Jesus.
THE BIBLE IN ONE YEAR:
Numbers 22–25
DCLM Daily Manna was written by Pastor William Folorunso Kumuyi; is the founder and General Superintendent of the Deeper Life Bible Church situated at KM 42 on the busy Lagos-Ibadan Expressway, Nigeria. https://dclm.org/
1. Admit that you are a sinner. "For all [humans] have sinned, and comes short of the glory of God....[and] the wages of sin is death; but the gift of God is eternal life through Jesus Christ our Lord" (Romans 3:23)
2. Repent now. "Repent ye therefore, and be converted, that your sins may be blotted out ...[for] if we confess our sins, he is faithful and just to forgive us our sins, and to cleanse us from all unrighteousness " (Acts 3:19, 1 John 1:9)
3. Believe that God loves you and Jesus died for you. "God commendeth his love toward us, in that, while we were yet Sinners, Christ died for us" (Romans 5:8)
4. Invite Jesus into your life through prayer of faith. Jesus says, "Behold, I stand at the door, and knock: if any man hear my voice, and open the door, I will come in to him, and will sup with him, and he with me" (Revelation 3:20)
