Thursday, March 22, 2007

project jonathan

Doing one of Chip Ingram's daily devotional (March 20th), I've finally found the name for the Accountability "thing-y" we're doing.

Chip Ingram called it "Project Jonathan."

Jonathan was David's closest friend, more like a brother whom he trusted with his life, and was saved because of that trust.

The story of brotherly, sacrificial love between David and Jonathan is what true friendship is all about, and I believe a firm foundation upon which Christian accountability should be built.

So read the story and think about what Chip Ingram says:

How many close friends do you have? Not simply acquaintances or fellow workers or neighbors, but the kind of friend "who sticks closer than a brother" (Prov 18:24), and with whom you can share joy and heartache?

David found that having a true friend can be more valuable - it can be lifesaving. When Saul (Jonathan's father) conspired to kill Israel's future king (David), Jonathan put his life on the line by informing David of his father's murderous intent. Ignoring his own welfare, Jonathan put God's program first.

What kind of friend are you? Do you establish relationships with other people for what you can gain from them, or for what you can give to them? If you're having trouble developing close friendships, spend some extra minutes today reading John 15:13-15. There you'll find three characteristics of a growing friendship: It demands sacrifice (v.13), obedience (v.14), and communication (v.15).

Take time for the duration of the 21-day dinner-fasting to think about how you build your friendship with those around you.

7 comments:

Anonymous said...

word.

little jane said...

mmm, david & jonathan were awesome.

Anonymous said...

woa... so is our love suppose to surpass our love for women?

little jane said...

is jimbob james??

Anonymous said...

no ... jimbob .... it should all be the same sacrificial love. Jesus 'love' or 'agape' one. but i'm assuming when you say surpassing that for a women you mean the ooey gooey love .. then "yes" ... jimbob ... please surpass the ooey gooey love for your partner .. ehem (YMU) ... =) ... that means doing things for him that brings about God's welfare (like keeping hair short and nice) ...

little jane said...

way to keep the names anonymous . . . i'm trying to figure out who jilldoe is.
i think it's tobi?? or jane unnie?? haha

Anonymous said...

jane doe...

right...