How do we see each other?

How we see each other?

Just last night I was thinking back on when I was in school. That was 32 years ago that I graduated and I still have friends that I have not seen for that long. After school we all went our different directions and we all ended up somewhere in the world. My best friend from college is living in New Zealand and I have not seen him in years even though we still contact via email or Facebook. I have fond memories of my friends and what we did together. I can recall the times we had together and told stories that would make you laugh and some might even make you cry. I miss my friends, and true friendship is rare these days. I have made lots of new friends over the years and believe those friendships will last a long time as well. I have also experienced platonic friendships that didn’t last. I understand the pain of giving it all just to find out you were used so that they could get something from you. As a Pastor of a church for twelve years, I had to be careful about who to befriend and who to avoid. I must admit that I am a sucker for friendships and will befriend anyone. My wife warned me many times not to do it as she could see the ones that would abuse my time and friendship. I also know the pain of losing a real friend that is impossible to replace. I have cried at their passing and will always remember our times together. I have also made a few friends that are closer than a brother. They are the ones who know my weaknesses and still they love me for who I am and they have proven themselves many times over.

How do I feel about the ones that used me? How do I feel about the great and awesome ones that I have lost? Will that cause me to step back and no longer engage in real relationships? Absolutely not, because each and every one of them has added to my life more than they took away. Even the ones that used me could not take away more than I was willing to give. It was painful to lose even those friendships. So how do I view them today?

2Cor. 5:16 Wherefore henceforth know we no man after the flesh: yea, though we have known Christ after the flesh, yet now henceforth know we him no more.

2Cor. 5:17 Therefore if any man be in Christ, he is a new creature: old things are passed away; behold, all things are become new.

I refuse to see Jesus as the Christ who walked the earth. We have many great and wonderful stories about Him while He was here but the reality is that He is no longer that Jesus in the sense that He is here to suffer and die for our sins. You see He is the Risen King that overcame sin and the curse. He is no longer a man laying down His divinity, but fully God. He laid His divinity down when HE became a man but after His death and resurrection He is the one that has all authority and power. How do you see Him?

Why is this so important? How do we see each other? Do we still see ourselves as the man we use to be or do we see ourselves as the one that Christ is making us to be? How do you see your friends? Can you see them as redeemed or do you still stumble over their mistakes? I have a friend that was my scuba diving partner when we lived in Florida. He is a true friend and I trusted him with my life many times. He has proven his loyalty and his commitment many times. He is wise and carries something unique in the spirit. He is not perfect, but neither am I, and he has stood with me through thick and thin, in good and bad. We have had our disagreements, but it has never affected the friendship. I am sure he will make mistakes in the future, as will I, but I know he sees me not as I am but as one that is restored and renewed. I choose to see people the same way. He has taught me loyalty and wisdom through his council. He has taught me patience when I lost it and he kept it together. I owe him a lot of thank yous. Rick, I salute you my friend. More than all of this I have seen him being a godly man. He has a heart for missions and is a kingdom connection to the hearts of people like no one else I know. I choose to honor you for your commitment to our friendship. This includes his wife, Annmarie, who has been a true friend to my wife. I salute you woman of God!

How do we see each other? What we believe about God does not define Him. What He believes about us defines Him. What you believe about your friends does not define them. What God believes about them defines them. How do you see others? Seeing them through heaven's eyes is the only way to understand their true value. So even the friendships I lost adds value to my journey because in God’s eyes they had and still have value. I choose to know no one after the flesh, but only after the Spirit!