Closer Than a Brother

By Michael Youssef, Ph D.  04/21/21

Whether we realize it or not, faithfulness is at the heart of all relationships. It is the very thing that prevents families and societies from falling apart. And it is the one element that has the ability to encourage us to persevere in times of failure and heartache.

The psalmist writes, “The LORD preserves those who are true to him, but the proud he pays back in full” (Psalm 31:23). Therefore, it comes as no surprise that the apostle Paul lists faithfulness as one of the fruit of the Spirit.

In fact, one of the first things we learn about God is that He is faithful. As children, we often sing the song “Jesus Loves Me,” and we know He does. No matter what we have done in the past or what we will do in the future, God’s love for us never changes. It is eternal, infinite, and faithful.

Far from compelling us to presume on God’s faithful, unchanging love, the amazing grace of God is the catalyst for our repentance so that we are saved to new life in Christ. This new life begins the moment we are born again of the Spirit so that, through Him, we become like Jesus—faithful, the kind of friend who “sticks closer than a brother” (Proverbs 18:24). Jesus remains at our side even when others abandon us, and we should follow His example in our relationships with others. To whom can you be faithful today?

Prayer: Lord, thank You for my friends. Please help me to be a good friend to them. I pray I will follow Your example and will stand by my friends when they need me the most. I pray in the name of Jesus. Amen.

“But the fruit of the Spirit is love, joy, peace, forbearance, kindness, goodness, faithfulness, gentleness and self-control. Against such things there is no law” (Galatians 5:22-23).