Good friends are hard to find.
This sentiment is shared across various demographics. We know this. We feel this.
As Christians we know the value of good friendships. In particular, I am talking about those friendships that are redemptive, that is, they aid us in our love for Christ. These friendships are truly incalculable in their value.
One aspect of this redemptive friendship is that these friends enjoy telling you what he or she is learning. They come to you and unload what has been garnering their attention and truly, their affection as of late. I love this.
But there are a couple of ways in which these take shape and one is preferred over the other.
On the one hand you have the excited believer who loves books, podcasts, blogs, etc. They come and give you reports on what they are learning. They come and bring you quotes, summaries, and updates from various figures.
I am thankful for these types of friends. I have them currently and have had many in the past.
However, they are not best.
There are other friends who come and bring us the Bible. And let me clarify, they are not just quoting verses like a Bible fortune cookie or something, they are coming to the conversation with a soul that has been marinating in Bible verses, doctrines, and concepts. They come dripping the Bible.
Why is this so valuable? If they are dripping the Bible then they are dripping God. They are giving me something valuable, someOne uncreated, with unparrelled significance. I love this.
Now, don’t get me wrong. I am not anti-book reading or anti-doctrine guy, but I am very much partial to the one who can give me the doctrine, the book, the quote, the whatever drenched in the Bible.
Why is this? It is because it is the Bible that gives it is context and authority. It is what makes the quote, conversation, or friendship for that matter. In giving me the Bible soaked into their souls they give me immeasurable value.
This reminds me of the impact of our Lord’s teaching upon his hearers. You might recall that they said on numerous occasions, with eyes full of marvel because he “was teaching them as one who had authority, and not as their scribes.” (Matt. 7.29) Many commentators believe that the distinction here was in the fact that the religious leaders of the day loved to quote other people whereas Jesus quoted God and expounded his word. The difference and impact were obvious.
Without impugning ‘like to quote guy’ I am appealing that we as Christians spend a bit more time with thoughtful steeping in the concepts that we latch onto so that we are not just tape recorders that playback sound bytes but men and woman who hear, digest, and share God’s word with intentionality.