When Nero comes knocking

As Christians, we sometimes face times of trial and hardship that are directly related to our faith in Jesus Christ and our Christian worldview.

I read this week that a San Diego pastor and his wife were reportedly interrogated by a county official, who threatened them with a series of fines if they continued holding a small Bible study with about 15 people in their home. (Living out one's faith in Christ often comes with a price.)

Recently, I wrote how members of North Carolina's Grace Baptist Church of Wilson had to hire attorneys after they were confronted by officials, who told them they could no longer share their faith in Jesus Christ with visitors at a local park.

The point herein is that, as Christians, these times of trial seem to be a natural occurrence, especially when we are seeking to boldly live out our faith in Christ.

And during these times, we can sure use faithful friends.

This brings me to a key question that all Christians should frequently be asking themselves: Am I being a friend to those who need my friendship?

French author and nobleman Francois de La Rochefoucauld said, "A true friend is the greatest of all blessings, and that which we take the least care of all to acquire."

I think this quote is true of many Christians today who are careless and unwise about their friendships. As Christians, we truly should be concerned with: (1) who we choose as our friends; and (2) presenting ourselves as loyal and upright friends to those who we have entrusted.

In fact, the Bible extensively deals with the topic of friendship, which means we should take the issue seriously. Jesus, of course, was the greatest example of a friend who has ever lived. He was the embodiment of John 15:13: "Greater love has no one than this, than to lay down one's life for his friends" (NKJV).

Let's also briefly examine a couple of verses on friendship from the book of wisdom, Proverbs.

Proverbs 17:17 tells us, "A friend loves at all times, and a brother is born for adversity."

Proverbs 27:17 tells us, "As iron sharpens iron, so a man sharpens the countenance of his friend."

So when we are going through trials of persecution or loss or even temptation, isn't it good to know that we have a friend who is born for adversity? In some of my darkest and most discouraged times, I have found the warm words of dear Christian friends to be like calming waters.

If you know people in your church or your neighborhood that are facing adversity, I encourage you to offer a hand of friendship to them. That is what Jesus would do. If you know folks like those I described above who are facing trials as a result of their faith, pray with them and hearten them with your words and actions. Let us all commit to being the kind of friends Jesus requires of us, his followers.