The Mark of Spiritual Friendship goes to the very heart of our relationship with one another through Christ: our spiritual ‘brotherhood’ is what binds us together this side of heaven. It is through our spiritual friendships that we demonstrate our discipleship to those around us. From John 13:34-35, “A new command I give you: Love one another. As I have loved you, so you must love one another. By this all men will know that you are my disciples, if you love one another.”

Quite often though, we find our friendships in less than spiritual places, with less than spiritual people. Our work, our play, our educational endeavors (and, unfortunately, sometimes our religious involvements) all bring us into relationships with people that can draw us away from Christ. In Matthew 10:21-22 we see how relationships built on a worldly level will be turned against one another: “Brother will betray brother to death, and a father his child; children will rebel against their parents and have them put to death. All men will hate you because of me, but he who stands firm to the end will be saved.”

Therefore, build spiritual friendships with Christ as the most important of friends! Take part in the life of the church, find where you feel comforted and accepted, and share your spiritual friendship, founded in the love of Christ and power of the Holy Spirit, with those around you – both inside and outside the boundaries of St. Dunstan’s!

Next: The Mark of Giving