God has designed us for fellowship, for friendship. In the gospel, God reconciles enemies to himself and makes them friends. He then makes his friends members of a community of friends (the church) and gives specific instruction as to how those friendships are to work (the 'one anothers'). Jesus regularly withdrew from the crowds and from his closest companions. Yet much of his earthly life was spent in the presence of his friends. Should we choose a different path? Do we not need time alone before God in prayer and meditation? And do we not need the accountability and encouragement that comes via friendship?
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In Genesis 2: 18, God says that it is not good for man to be “alone.” This statement has more to do with God’s design for humanity than Adam’s neediness. God created us to be relational beings because He is a social God. God lives in community within the Trinity as Father, Son, and Spirit, and He made humanity in His image. Genesis 2 is not speaking primarily to Adam’s experience of being lonely as much as it is revealing his nature as the person God created him to be. Because God created a communal being— someone designed for relationships— creation is incomplete without a suitable companion. While Genesis 2 does address how male and female complement each other, the implications are broader to include all human relationships.
by Timothy S. Lane and Paul David Tripp
Ecclesiastes 4:9-12
(NIV)
Two are better than one,
because they have a good return for their labor:
because they have a good return for their labor:
If either of them falls down,
one can help the other up.
But pity anyone who falls
and has no one to help them up.
Also, if two lie down together, they will keep warm.
But how can one keep warm alone?
Though one may be overpowered,
two can defend themselves.
A cord of three strands is not quickly broken.
~Ophelia - Marie
~Ophelia - Marie
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