Developing Friendships

     When Christians are together there is a since of connection or a sense of defensiveness.  Usually if there is defensiveness it is because of sin or other Christians had hurt the defensive party.  No one is perfect, but what we are striving for is to make everyone feel like they belong.  It is a vital concept.  Christians are meant to help develop each other to become better servants for Christ.  We are supposed to discuss the Word and work through things together.  If a person does not feel like they belong, then this will not happen.
     Even a strong Christian leader has things to learn.  They continue to learn how to connect better, communicate better, love better, and more.   Paul was a willing vessel. When he became friends with Aquila and his wife, Priscilla, they sharpened each other.  Paul had companionship that helped in his ministry.  They all helped each other to be impactful spiritual leaders.  
     When Silas and Timothy were able to join Paul,  he focused 100% on the ministry of Jesus to the Gentiles.  He took the abuse that came along with that, so the others would not have to bare it. The Jewish Christians understood the importance of reaching out to the Gentiles, but had not figure out how to close that cultural gap.  Paul was a teacher.  He lead by educating people.  He has given us the opportunity to break barriers to be able to reach people that we may not have had before.  
     Friendship is what makes us strong or weak.  Be friends with people, but be very careful in whom you allow in your inner circle.  Give your relationships time to see which ones will develop into making you stronger or will tear you down.  It can take years to become very close friends that understands each other without speaking.  Trust that if you follow Christ that God will take care of you in your relationships.  Friendship is just one way that makes life better.  He has a lot more up His sleeve.  (Acts 18: 1-17)

^{5 "}When Silas and Timothy arrived from Macedonia, Paul devoted himself to preaching the word and testified to the Jews that Jesus is the Messiah. ⁶ When they resisted and blasphemed, he shook out his clothes and told them, “Your blood is on your own heads! I am innocent. From now on I will go to the Gentiles.” ⁷ So he left there and went to the house of a man named Titius Justus, a worshiper of God, whose house was next door to the synagogue. ⁸ Crispus, the leader of the synagogue, believed in the Lord, along with his whole household. Many of the Corinthians, when they heard, believed and were baptized."  Acts 18: 5-8 (CSB)