Spiritual Formation (Spiritual Friendship part 4)

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…[T]he soul of Jonathan was knit to the soul of David, and Jonathan loved him as himself.  Saul took [David] that day and did not let him return to his father’s house.  Then Jonathan made a covenant with David because he loved him as himself. (Holy Bible: New American Standard Bible, 1 Samuel 18:1-3)[1]

             Some of us have had an unexplainable connection to another person, and for such a link we have terms like kindred spirit.  Although I dislike writing in the first person, I feel the need to break into this subject with a personal story.  Years ago, I was part of a group and within that group we were all assigned a spiritual mentor.  For some reason, I did not connect with my assigned mentor and I don’t mean to suggest anything negative about the guy.  Simply put, we didn’t connect; however, there was another leader within that group, and I did connect with him.  Years later at Bible College, because of my program, I had several classes with two professors, both of whom I liked. However, again, one I had an authentic connection with.  That connection has become a friendship and is still a vital part of my spiritual walk today.

             We as humans have tried to map out what makes us individuals, for example many of you may have taken the Myers-Briggs personality test and come to find out you’re more of an introvert than an extrovert.  Perhaps it’s helpful to understand that about yourself; however, that doesn’t mean your best friend or spouse will also be an introvert.  There is something of a mystery regarding human attraction and the same can be said about spiritual connections.

             This connection existed between David and Jonathan.  Since Jonathan was the son of King Saul, he came from power and some level of wealth.  David on the other hand was a shepherd and the son of a shepherd.  It’s implied that he didn’t even have a sword when he defended his flock against predators (1 Sam. 17:34-36).  Therefore, Jonathan was willing to give his sword, bow, belt and nice clothing to David (1 Sam. 18:4).  Also, after God had chosen to take the Kingship away from the house of Saul and give it to David, Jonathan remained loyal to David, despite him losing his place as the next in line for the throne (1 Sam. 23:18).  Spiritual friendship may extend to an ethereal concept; however, it is grounded in the real world, where you may need to meet their needs or put them before yourself.

Written by Pastor Ozzy

[1] There is no explicit reason to think that David and Jonathan had any kind of homosexual relationship.  Moreover, there is no implicit reason to think that either when a person considers their ancient near eastern setting (The Apologetics Study Bible: Real Questions, Straight Answers, Stronger Faith, note 1 Sam. 18:1-4).

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Works Cited

Cabal, Ted, Chad Owen Brand, E. Ray Clendenen, Paul Copan, J.P. Moreland, and Doug Powell. 2007. The Apologetics Study Bible: Real Questions, Straight Answers, Stronger Faith. Nashville: Holman Bible Publishers.

1995. Holy Bible: New American Standard Bible. LaHabra: The Lockman Foundation.

Spiritual Formation (Spiritual Friendship part 3)

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Two are better than one because they have a good return for their labor.  For if either of them falls, the one will lift up his companion.  But woe to the one who falls when there is not another to lift him up.  Furthermore, if two lie down together they keep warm, but how can one be warm alone?  And if one can overpower him who is alone, two can resist him.  A cord of three strands is not quickly torn apart. (Holy Bible: New American Standard Bible, Ecclesiastes 4:9-12)

            Spiritual Friendship, like most interpersonal relationships, is complicated.  If we are honest, we as Christians make many assumptions regarding others’ spiritual walks; moreover, often we are careful to make our walk look smoother than it is.  However, inside, where nobody else can see, we all read James’ words, “For we all stumble in many ways” (Ibid. James 3:2a) and silently we shout, amen!

            There is a phenomenon in our modern world concerning social media. Although some people are more than willing to overshare every problem they encounter, most people want their online profile to appear perfect.  Photos with smiling friends and family.  Posts that make us look like we have our lives together and everything is in order.  We can take this same mindset and apply it to our outward spiritual walks, doing everything we can to make sure people only see our pressed and wrinkle-free white robes.

            However, James was being brutally honest when he said that we all stumble.  And it is at these times that Spiritual Friends are most needed.  Again, there are overly honest people on social media and that can be somewhat awkward at times. Some confessions and conversations are best kept between personal friends and not for everyone to see.  However, these kinds of exchanges are necessary for a Christian’s life and can be powerful moments of growth.  Hence the necessity of Spiritual Friendship.

            Consider what Paul expressed to the Corinthians in his second letter.  There he talked about how God comforts us in our troubles so that we can comfort others when they have difficulties (1:3-4).  It’s important to see that one person can receive the comfort that is meant to be passed on to comfort another.  That is where a friend can pass on what they have received in their past to a friend going through a similar ordeal.  We’ll explore this idea more when we get into Spiritual Guidance.

Written by Pastor Ozzy

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Works Cited

1995. Holy Bible: New American Standard Bible. LaHabra: The Lockman Foundation.

Spiritual Formation (Spiritual Friendship part 2)

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… Lord said to Abram, “Go forth from your country, and from your relatives and from your father’s house, to the land which I will show you… (Holy Bible: New American Standard Bible, Gen. 12:1)

Boaz replied to [Ruth], “All that you have done for your mother-in-law after the death of your husband has been fully reported to me, and how you left your father and your mother and the land of your birth, and came to a people that you did not previously know. (Ibid. Ruth 2:11)

           In the last blog, we began to look at the relationship between Naomi and Ruth, and because of what we find in the Ruth narrative, we can see how one person can help to affect  another person’s spiritual formation.  With the benefit of hindsight, we can see that this relationship led to Ruth becoming a progenitor in the Davidic line (Ruth 4:13-17); i.e., leaving her pagan origins and joining with Naomi was the catalyst that put her in the matriarchal line of the Messiah (Matt. 1:5).

            

          Although their period in the history of Israel is quite different, there are striking similarities between the Abraham story and Ruth’s story.  Both were pagans in their homelands (Josh. 24:2).  Abraham lived as an alien in a foreign land as did Ruth.  Interestingly, where Abraham has direct encounters with God to give him instructions and guidance (Gen. 17), Ruth has Naomi to guide and direct her (Ruth 2:22, 3:1-5).  Keep in mind, the Ruth narrative has for its backdrop the period of the Judges.  A time when people did what was right in their own eyes.  This period in Israel's history sounds very similar to our modern experience.

           Therefore, the spiritual friendship between Naomi and Ruth has great value to modern readers.  Imagine how strange the pre-monarchy structure of Israel would have been to an outsider, like Ruth.  This same sense of strangeness can exist when someone with no background in the Bible attempts to understand Christianity.

            

           As has been previously mentioned, the Ruth story happens during the period of the Judges.  The book of Judges is often misrepresented in our modern day because people have failed to understand its descriptive nature and mistook it for prescriptive.  If a person misunderstands the book in such a way, it is difficult to see its value and purpose.  That is where spiritual friendships are incredibly valuable.  Someone with a biblical background can guide and direct someone new in the scriptures.

            

           This is, of course, only one example of the value of spiritual friendships. Next week, we’ll continue our exploration of this topic. (Click here for Part 3)

Written by Pastor Ozzy

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Works Cited

1995. Holy Bible: New American Standard Bible. LaHabra: The Lockman Foundation.