A Faithful Friend; Chapter 5
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New Characters in Chapters Five
Faithful
Wanton
Shame
We left Christian as he was leaving the Valley of the Shadow of Death.
It was here that he learned many lessons.
We are now catching up with Christian as he is continuing on his journey, and he is about to learn yet anither important lesson.
That is, the incomparable value of Christian friendship, and fellowship.
As Christian is walking, he reaches a point in his journey where there is a little upward slope for the purpose of helping Christina see what lay ahead on their journey.
As Christian looked from this height he saw a man by the name Faithful.
When Christian saw him, he cried out to Faithful to stop so that he could catch up with him.
Faithful refuses to stop because he is running for his life as he said.
This is to show us that nothing should be more important to us than eternal life, not even friendships, and companionship.
Hearing this though, Christian runs with all his might toward Faithful.
After a while Christian not only catches up with Faithful, but actually passes him.
With this, Christian looks back on Faithful with a prideful smile, as smugness overtakes him.
At that moment Christian stumbled and fell to the ground.
In this is a two-fold lesson.
1. We should never look down upon, or think we are better than other believers because of their lack of sanctification.
2. Pride comes before a fall, and that the moment we think we are standing that is when we are sure to fall.
Pride goeth before destruction, and an haughty spirit before a fall.
Wherefore let him that thinketh he standeth take heed lest he fall.
But it is here, as Christian lie in the rumble of his pride, that Faithful displays true Christ-like friendship, and seals their brother hood.
Faithful comes to Christian, and with the firm hand of friendship helps Christian up.
This is a very Biblical principle.
Two are better than one; because they have a good reward for their labour.
For if they fall, the one will lift up his fellow: but woe to him that is alone when he falleth; for he hath not another to help him up.
Again, if two lie together, then they have heat: but how can one be warm alone?
And if one prevail against him, two shall withstand him; and a threefold cord is not quickly broken.
Than Christian and Faithful, with brotherly affection, continue on in the way together.
Christian and Faithful go on telling one another all the different things that they had both faced on their journey.
But first let us discuss what made Christian and Faithful’s friendship so special, and what makes all Christian friendship, and fellowship special.
What made Christian and Faithful’s friendship so special is the faith and hope that they have in common.
They have, as all Christians have, at the root of their friendship the blood of Christ that unites them.
We, as Christians, are the only people in the world that if you pull us from all different parts of the world, all different backgrounds, we can still have genuine, true love and fellowship.
Why?
Because it is Christ that unites us, and we are all in the family of God, through Christ.
We have in common that we are sinners saved by the grace of God, and we as Christians all have in common that we are the undeserved recipients of this grace.
For we are members of his body, of his flesh, and of his bones.
For as the body is one, and hath many members, and all the members of that one body, being many, are one body: so also is Christ.
For as we have many members in one body, and all members have not the same office:
So we, being many, are one body in Christ, and every one members one of another.
It must be pointed out though that Christian and Faithful are very different people.
They both go through different challenges, and temptations along their journey.
Christian does not struggle in the exact same way that Faithful does, and visa versa.
This is Bunyan’s way of showing us that God’s children are not stamped out of a cookie cutter, nor are they equally tempted, and tried in the same way.
Yet, all Christians, no matter how different, are united by Gods grace, and that grace is efficient to all kinds of believers, no matter their individual weaknesses, and sins.
Why is it important that all believers are not the exact same, and that they struggle in different ways?
Because as Christians get together, and talk to one another, as Christian and Faithful did, about their own individual struggles against sin, we are teaching one another valuable lessons, and helping one another stay from certain sins, as we listen to our brothers, and sisters who have fallen into them, and struggle with them warn us against them.
Iron sharpeneth iron; so a man sharpeneth the countenance of his friend.
And it is as we get together, that we edify, or build up one another, and help produce in one another more Godly fruit.
Wherefore comfort yourselves together, and edify one another, even as also ye do.
Not forsaking the assembling of ourselves together, as the manner of some is; but exhorting one another: and so much the more, as ye see the day approaching.
And let us consider one another to provoke unto love and to good works:
That is, that I may be comforted together with you by the mutual faith both of you and me.
Christians are to also share with one another each others own personal sins, and struggles.
And in doing this, you have accountability, you have another brother or sister coming alongside of you, and praying for you, and bearing your struggles with you.
Bear ye one another’s burdens, and so fulfil the law of Christ.
Now we exhort you, brethren, warn them that are unruly, comfort the feebleminded, support the weak, be patient toward all men.
And above all things have fervent charity among yourselves: for charity shall cover the multitude of sins.
Speak on how Faithful told Christian of his temptation with Madam Wanton.
Read full account. (Page 103,104)
Speak on how Madam Wanton promised many things, but could not promise a good conscience.
Speak on how sexual immorality gives temporary, fleshly pleasure, yet does not ultimately satisfy, but only leaves you broken, and defiled.
Speak on how sexual immorality is something we should flee from.
And it came to pass about this time, that Joseph went into the house to do his business; and there was none of the men of the house there within.
And she caught him by his garment, saying, Lie with me: and he left his garment in her hand, and fled, and got him out.
And it came to pass, when she saw that he had left his garment in her hand, and was fled forth,
This was just one of the several stories that Faithful and Christian exchanged, helping one another, edifying one another.
Another aspect of Christian friendship, and fellowship that is so special is that we are all working toward the same goal.
Furthering the Kingdom of God, and proclaiming the Gospel, as we individually live our lives for Christ.
For your fellowship in the gospel from the first day until now;
Another aspect that makes Christian friendship so special is the genuine love that is shared with one another through Christ.
Beloved, let us love one another: for love is of God; and every one that loveth is born of God, and knoweth God.
He that loveth not knoweth not God; for God is love.
A new commandment I give unto you, That ye love one another; as I have loved you, that ye also love one another.
By this shall all men know that ye are my disciples, if ye have love one to another.
Be kindly affectioned one to another with brotherly love; in honour preferring one another;
Seeing ye have purified your souls in obeying the truth through the Spirit unto unfeigned love of the brethren, see that ye love one another with a pure heart fervently:
These are just some of the many things that make Christian friendship, and fellowship so special.
It is unlike any other.
And Christian and Faithful show forth this kind of Christian friendship, as they are now walking with one another, telling each other their own individual stories, bearing one another’s sins, and showing genuine love for one another.
They also show to us the kind of friends that Christians should be seeking.
For Christians are not to be seeking friendship with the unconverted, ones of the world.
Be ye not unequally yoked together with unbelievers: for what fellowship hath righteousness with unrighteousness? and what communion hath light with darkness?
Ye adulterers and adulteresses, know ye not that the friendship of the world is enmity with God? whosoever therefore will be a friend of the world is the enemy of God.
Be not deceived: evil communications corrupt good manners.
We are to evangelize, and love the unconverted, but our friendship is to only be with other genuine Christians.
Not because we are better than them, but because we nothing in common, and we are goign after two polar opposite goals.
Christian and Faithful display to us true, Biblical friendship, and what it should look like.
We will go over more of the stories they shared next week.