Each must ask of himself; Am I worthy of friendship? We ask others of their worthiness, but we fail to ask ourselves.
When God removes us from a life that was outside of HIS will, look back and you will find, many people in that life, were not worthy of being called friend. So we ask ourselves the question, that we are sure of our own worthiness.
God has been our friend, even in times when we weren’t worthy of HIS friendship. To be one worthy of friendship, you must possess certain qualities and behaviors that make you a good friend. One that is reliable and worthy of trust, because friends need to trust each other, or there is no need for the friendship.
Strong friendship between men is based on mutual respect and a balanced give-and-take dynamic.
It is hard to be a friend to a person who is puffed up in self-righteousness, which causes one to turn on his brother. Jesus records a parable that illustrates this concept in (Luke 18:9-14). HE addresses some who are confident in their own righteousness and looked down on others. The main message of the parable is humility, repentance, and understanding that is through God’s mercy and grace, that one is justified, rather than relying on his own self-righteousness. “For everyone that exalteth himself shall be humbled, and he that humbleth himself shall be exalted.”
Why would God or anyone else find you worthy of friendship, when you use prideful words like “me, my, and I” in every sentence? Failing to acknowledge anyone in a positive light, including God. This is the pride that precedes the fall of those, too smart for their own good. Not even worthy of being called friend. The power in their own heads, will surely lead to their demise, and they will be brought to an open shame.
When the enemy uses flattery on you, know that he uses nothing new under the sun. Because it was the desire for flattery that got the devil and a third of heaven’s angels kicked out. The sinful nature of the fallen, and they are amongst us, and will not hesitate to use flattery of the evil works of those, who do not have a friendship with God.
Try God, especially if HE is the only thing you haven’t tried. Give your all to the Creator; there is nothing else worthy of worship.
Luke 18:9-14
New International Version
The Parable of the Pharisee and the Tax Collector
9 “To some who were confident of their own righteousness and looked down on everyone else, Jesus told this parable: 10 “Two men went up to the temple to pray, one a Pharisee and the other a tax collector. 11 The Pharisee stood by himself and prayed: ‘God, I thank you that I am not like other people—robbers, evildoers, adulterers—or even like this tax collector. 12 I fast twice a week and give a tenth of all I get.’
13 “But the tax collector stood at a distance. He would not even look up to heaven, but beat his breast and said, ‘God, have mercy on me, a sinner.’
14 “I tell you that this man, rather than the other, went home justified before God. For all those who exalt themselves will be humbled, and those who humble themselves will be exalted.” ”
Luke 18:9-14
King James Version
9 “And he spake this parable unto certain which trusted in themselves that they were righteous, and despised others:
10 Two men went up into the temple to pray; the one a Pharisee, and the other a publican.
11 The Pharisee stood and prayed thus with himself, God, I thank thee, that I am not as other men are, extortioners, unjust, adulterers, or even as this publican.
12 I fast twice in the week, I give tithes of all that I possess.
13 And the publican, standing afar off, would not lift up so much as his eyes unto heaven, but smote upon his breast, saying, God be merciful to me a sinner.
14 I tell you, this man went down to his house justified rather than the other: for every one that exalteth himself shall be abased; and he that humbleth himself shall be exalted.”
Luke 18:9-14
Living Bible
9 “Then he told this story to some who boasted of their virtue and scorned everyone else:
10 “Two men went to the Temple to pray. One was a proud, self-righteous Pharisee, and the other a cheating tax collector. 11 The proud Pharisee ‘prayed’ this prayer: ‘Thank God, I am not a sinner like everyone else, especially like that tax collector over there! For I never cheat, I don’t commit adultery, 12 I go without food twice a week, and I give to God a tenth of everything I earn.’
13 “But the corrupt tax collector stood at a distance and dared not even lift his eyes to heaven as he prayed, but beat upon his chest in sorrow, exclaiming, ‘God, be merciful to me, a sinner.’ 14 I tell you, this sinner, not the Pharisee, returned home forgiven! For the proud shall be humbled, but the humble shall be honored.” ”