HelpFinder Bible - Flipbook - Page 138
page A136
Forgiveness continued
PROMISES FROM GOD
• J E R E MI A H 3 :2 2 | “My wayward children,” says the Lord, “come back to me, and I will
heal your wayward hearts.”
• A C T S 2 :3 8 | “Each of you must repent of your sins and turn to God, and be baptized in the
name of Jesus Christ for the forgiveness of your sins. Then you will receive the gift of the
Holy Spirit.”
• 1 J O H N 1 :9 | If we confess our sins to him, he is faithful and just to forgive us our sins and
to cleanse us from all wickedness.
Friendship See also Communication; Hospitality; Love; Neighbors
How many friends do you have? Who are they? If you are typical, your friends range from
casual acquaintances to those you would die for. Sometimes we are closer to our friends
than our own brothers or sisters. Friends share affection, companionship, confidences,
consideration, devotion, esteem, faithfulness, fellowship, harmony, helpfulness, loyalty,
partnership, support, sympathy, trust, and understanding. Friends are those you want
to spend time with. God created us for relationships—with each other and with him.
Our friendship with God should be the model for all our other friendships.
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Can I truly be friends with God?
HelpFinder
• J A ME S 2 :2 3 | “Abraham believed God, and God counted him as righteous because of his
faith.” He was even called the friend of God.
• E X O DU S 3 3 :1 1 | The Lord would speak to Moses face to face, as one speaks to a friend.
Both Abraham and Moses are referred to as friends of God. We are his friends, too, if we
truly seek him and love him.
• PSA L M 2 5 :1 4 | The Lord is a friend to those who fear him. He teaches them his covenant.
Sharing our secrets is a mark of great friendship. When God shares the secrets of his
promises with us, we know that he considers us his friends.
What is the mark of true friendship?
• PR O V E R B S 1 7 :1 7 | A friend is always loyal, and a brother is born to help in time of need.
• 1 S A MU E L 1 8 :3 | And Jonathan made a solemn pact with David, because he loved him as
he loved himself. (See note on page 261.)
Some friendships are fleeting and some are lasting. True friendships are glued together
with bonds of loyalty and commitment. They remain intact despite changing external
circumstances.
What gets in the way of friendships?
• 1 S A MU E L 1 8 :9 -1 1 | From that time on Saul kept a jealous eye on David. . . . Saul had a
spear in his hand, and he suddenly hurled it at David.
Jealousy is the great dividing force of friendships. Envy over what a friend has will soon turn
to anger and bitterness, causing you to separate yourself from the one you truly cared for.
• PSA L M 4 1 :9 | Even my best friend, the one I trusted completely . . . has turned against me.
(See note on page 501.)
When respect or commitment is seriously damaged, even the closest friendship is at risk.
• 2 S A MU E L 1 3 :1 1 | But as she was feeding him, he grabbed her and demanded, “Come to
bed with me.”
Friendships are destroyed when boundaries are violated.
How can I turn my enemies into friends?
• G E NE S I S 5 0 :1 7 -2 1 | “So we . . . beg you to forgive our sin.” . . . “No, don’t be afraid. I will
continue to take care of you.”
Forgiveness restores broken relationships.