«Faithful are the wounds of a friend, but the kisses of an enemy are deceitful» (Proverbs 27:6).
FRIENDSHIP
Jesus’s disciples were human beings marked by imperfection. They constantly displayed noticeable character defects that obstructed the Holy Spirit’s work in their lives. Several times they revealed that ambition, selfishness and impulsive reactions hindered them from the great mission set before them. They actually didn’t seem like a very promising team. What did Jesus see in them? Why did he choose such ordinary people? Why didn’t he look for people with a better profile? The apostles were actually men with inborn ability, humility and openness to be taught; in addition, they hadn’t been educated in the erroneous traditions of that time and they were willing to learn. Jesus could work in their hearts and transform them to be Heaven’s powerful messengers.
Part of the training process of Jesus’s disciples was to correct their character defects. It wasn’t an easy task. Peter’s impulsiveness, James’s and John’s impatience (nicknamed «the sons of thunder»), and Thomas’s lack of faith had to be set straight. The Great Master had to convey some painful truths to his beloved apostles. But He did so with great care. «He was never rude, never needlessly spoke a severe word, never gave needless pain to a sensitive soul. He did not censure human weakness. He fearlessly denounced hypocrisy, unbelief, and iniquity, but tears were in His voice as He uttered His scathing rebukes»—The Desire of Ages, ch. 37, p. 353. Those who accepted Jesus’s correction were powerfully used by the Holy Spirit to proclaim the gospel. Later on we see them working as great leaders willing to bravely face the challenges of evangelizing. Their childish attitudes and immature reactions had been left behind.
True friends help you grow. There’s no one better than them to expose themselves to lovingly point out your character’s defects and invite you to overcome your bad attitudes. However, there are those who can’t stand those kinds of comments and defend themselves like a clawing cat, ready to respond to what they interpret as an attack. Likewise, they believe that good friends accept you the way you are and don’t try to teach you lessons. The truth is nobody’s perfect. That’s why we should thank those who, running the risk of being misinterpreted, dare to encourage us to improve some personal attitudes. That’s why the saying goes: «Friends hurt each other with the truth so they won’t destroy each other with lies.»
Ask the Lord today to help you make friends that will help you mature and be a better person.
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Take From: Daily Devotions for Youth 2020
«A New You»
From: Alejandro Medina Villareal
Collaborators: Gezer Noria & Misael Morillo
