Who is your all-time best friend in the world? Before you read further, pause and make a mental list of the qualities you appreciate in that person. Go ahead– I will give you a moment…
Now think about one or two flaws that your best friend has in their character. Does it surprise you how quickly and easily something comes to mind? Even a best friend cannot be a perfect friend, because there are no perfect people– except One.
Jesus Christ is God, who took on flesh and came to earth as a human being. He lived a perfect life to fullfill the law, and He died to pay the penalty for our sin. Then He rose again to forgive and save all who trust in Him.
Jesus is the only perfect Person who has ever lived, and when we repent of our sin and accept Him as our Lord and Saviour, His Holy Spirit comes to live inside of us. His job is to grow the character of Christ in us.
In Galatians 5:22-23, the Apostle Paul referred to these qualities as the fruit of the Spirit: love, joy, peace, patience, kindness, goodness, faithfulness, gentleness, and self-control. Jesus is the perfect example of all these character qualities.
True Christianity is not a religion– it is a relationship with Jesus. He wants to be your Best Friend. He will be your only perfect Friend.
You and I will not reach perfection on this side of Heaven, but the more we become like Jesus, the better friends we will be to Him, and to each other.
Pastor Kent Babbey
Blenheim Baptist Church