The Friendship of Christ

The other day I was listening to a sermon on some of the attributes of God, specifically along the lines of the Lord being "A man of sorrows, and acquainted with grief" (Isaiah 53:3). It got me to
thinking again on just how real the friendship of Christ is, or can be. How intimately He understands us. It's hard for me to remember sometimes, because when you're lonely, one of the things you crave most is the physical affection, and physical closeness, and sometimes that can cause discouragement at the "lack" of such in the spiritual walk. However, if you consider all of the other elements of a genuine friendship, the qualities that make for a strong and enduring friendship, the verse "There is a friend that sticketh closer than a brother" becomes quite real.

Faithfulness and loyalty…so long as we are born again, no matter what we do, He abides by His promises to us.

Strength and confidence…in the Word, like a friend reminding us of the truth, strengthening and encouraging us when we're weak, afraid, or uncertain.

Advice in the Word…like when we seek answers from a friend for understanding or guidance.

Comfort and gentleness…all in the Word, the solid foundation which the Scriptures offer, the peace and assurance it gives, the reason to look for the future, that "the hope which is laid up for you in heaven." Friends might not be able to prevent sorrow or calamity, but they can offer that comfort.

Paternal Authority

This subject has been one of particular importance to me over the years, as I was raised in an intensely patriarchal system, with my father believing himself to be the supreme authority over both his children and wife.

With this authority, my father would be quick to say that the ultimate authority is God. This sounds well except what he really taught is that anytime a child goes against the father, whether in deed, word, or faith, such "rebellion" is equally against God, as God placed him in charge. That, whatever age, outside of marriage (where authority is transferred to the husband), the "child" should be answerable to the father.

But to what extent is such authority Biblical? Is the child, once grown, still required to remain under this authority? As a Christian, am I answerable to both God and my father, or God alone? Is a woman "more" required than a man to remain under a father's authority? Does "disobedience" include "disagreement"? Should obedience include the stifling of one's individual beliefs and thoughts? Is disobedience to an earthly father equal to that of the heavenly Father?

These are some of the questions I found myself facing several years ago. Not trusting myself or my father, I desperately sought answers from the Bible, pleading with God that the Holy Spirit might show me what the Scriptures actually say, beyond all my preconceived notions. I felt I had to be absolutely sure, because on it hung the answer to life changing decisions I had to make- namely, regarding leaving the home of my family, and thereby the authority of my father.