7-22-23 Daily Devotion

The Need for Friendship God designed believers to live in community, and we must rely on each other in times of need. July 22, 2022 2 Timothy 4:9-22 These days, many of us would rather rely on ourselves than on one another. It’s common for neighbors to treat each other with suspicion instead of congeniality—and that goes for church members too. Independence may be a prized attribute in our culture but not in the Bible. Nowhere in Scripture will you find the erroneous quote “God helps those who help themselves.” The very fact that the Lord formed the church—a community of believers—reveals He did not create people for self-sufficiency or isolation. In God’s design, a close, committed biblical friendship between two believers serves to build both toward Christlikeness. Look at any of the saints in Scripture and you will find evidence of reliance upon a close friend or confidante for support. Paul, in particular, spoke freely and often of his dependence upon dear companions, and he encouraged others to form intimate partnerships as well (Phil. 2:1-2). God’s Word tells us to love one another, bear our brothers’ burdens, and confess our sins to fellow believers (John 13:34; Gal. 6:2; James 5:16). This means we’re to give ourselves away to others and receive from them in return. God designed this mutual encouragement to result in greater holiness throughout the body of Christ. Bible in One Year: Isaiah 1-3