I came across a very familiar verse today which is always a great pleasure to read concerning the second coming of Christ. It is found in 1 Thessalonians 4:17 and tells us this:
"Then we which are alive and remain shall be caught up together with them in the clouds, to meet the Lord in the air: and so shall we ever be with the Lord."
.... so shall we ever be with the Lord.... Just stop and really think about that for a moment. It's quite an awesome thought when it sinks in, amen? Such meditation led me to this question; If some of our friendships are in fact eternal relationships, how might that effect the way we conduct them now? We're talking "forever friends" here, aren't we? FOREVER ladies - now that's a difficult concept to grasp! Think for a moment about one of your long-standing friendships. Who is it with? How did you meet? Why and how do you remain friends? No doubt you have many precious memories together and a variety of experiences that you've shared together. Now think about that relationship in light of eternity... If your long standing friend is a child of God, your friendship is going to last an even longer time! This truth is something special that friends can share between themselves TODAY, amen? A bond that keeps their hearts united... You know, this verse in 1 Thessalonians actually contains three different perspectives for us to consider today in light of our friendships. First it offers us comfort, it offers us a warning, and it offers us hope...
THE COMFORT
We experience comfort when we consider those friends and loved ones of ours that have gone on before us. Death is the great separator, and the separation that we have been experiencing over the years since our loved ones have gone home to be with the Lord will come to an end. Scripture says we'll be gloriously reunited in the air TOGETHER to meet the Lord! What a blessed thought! It's one that certainly helps during those lonely moments when a particular sound, word, fragrance, song etc. brings that special person to mind and will bring you comfort when missing them. Having this promise lifts our spirits and keeps us looking ahead to that glorious day, amen?
1 Thes. 4:18, "Wherefore comfort one another with these words."
THE WARNING
But now ladies, the warning is that we WILL be meeting the Lord - it's a fact. Are you ready? Are you ready as Christian friends to meet the Lord, or will you not be speaking to one another when the Lord returns for you both?? Will your hearts be filled with bitterness toward one another, or will you be free from the bondage of sin? When you are caught up together in the clouds to meet the Lord in the air, will you turn your noses up at one another and turn your heads away because you are caught up in unforgiveness? How should friends want to meet the Lord? We should want to be ready of course! Therefore, it is necessary for us to examine our hearts NOW and make sure that there is nothing between our friendships that will hinder our eagerness for meeting the Lord. Perhaps there is someone you aren't speaking to right now... Will that be as important an issue when you meet the Lord and stand alone in His presence? Ladies, we're so busy nursing our grudges we've forgotten about the fact that as Christians we are going to be living together for all of eternity! Let's each get busy and prepare to meet our heavenly Father surrounded with healthy relationships going on in our lives, amen?
Proverbs 6:3, "Do this now, my son, deliver thyself, when thou art come into the hand of thy friend; go, humble thyself, and make sure thy friend."
Proverbs 17:17, "A friend loveth at all times, and a brother is born for adversity."
Proverbs 27:10, "Thine own friend, and thy father's friend, forsake not..."
THE HOPE
In view of the warnings and the promise in our main verse, what should you encourage a friend to do or to be? How about READY to meet the Lord! Do you have friends that are not yet saved? Have you told them about the Lord and how He'll soon be coming again? Have you warned them of that blessed day which will come like a thief in the night and their express need to be ready for it? Your long time friend has an appointment with judgment... What have you done to help prepare them for it?? Why not make an appointment for them to meet Christ now! A good friend should want another good friend to be ready for heaven, amen? Insomuch as anyone pushes you nearer to God, he or she is your friend.... A good friend should want to give to another good friend the hope of eternal life! It's the greatest hope of all... You've given them the gift of a long lasting friendship with you, why not extend it for all of eternity?? Why not introduce them to the best friend they could ever have - Jesus Christ! None can say they are friendless when Christ has said, "Henceforth I call you not servants....but I have called you friends." Jesus is a true friend who never turns His back on us... Anyone who has sincerely trusted Christ as Savior has the hope of eternal life - it is an eternal security which can never be taken away!
1 John 2:28, "And now little children, abide in Him; that when He shall appear, we may have confidence, and not be ashamed before Him at His coming."
Today, if you have some Christian friendships or relationships in general that need to be repaired, may I challenge you to go first? Make amends with that person in the Lord and do right. Restore your fellowship with one another, after all, you're going to be together for all of eternity! And if there are still friends of yours who don't know the Lord as their personal Savior, why not stop living for cheap experiences of pleasure and lay down your life for your friend - show them what it really means to be a Christian so that when you tell them how to be saved they will believe you! Remember that Jesus IS coming again - time is running out and eternity is just around the corner for us all!
God Bless,
Pam
Isaiah 60:1&2
Copyright 2000 Pamela A. Iannello
