A True Friend Helps and Goes the Extra Mile
By Dennis Lee
A true friend is someone who helps spur us forward.
“As iron sharpens iron, so a man sharpens the countenance of his friend.” (Proverbs 27:17)
Friends bring out the best in each another.
“And Jonathan took off the robe that was on him and gave it to David, with his armor, even to his sword and his bow and his belt.” (1 Samuel 18:4)
Think about this! Jonathan was the king’s son and heir to the throne, yet he stripped himself of every symbol of his royalty to give it to the one person who would take his place.
When the people heard that Jesus was in Capernaum, the friends of a paralytic man brought him to Jesus. But they couldn’t enter because of the crowd. So, they dug a hole in the roof and lowered the paralytic man down in front of Jesus. Look at what happened.
“When Jesus saw their faith, He said to the paralytic, ‘Son, your sins are forgiven you.’” (Mark 2:5)
A friend helps, not only by their actions, but also by their faith in Jesus.
But a true friend also goes the extra mile.
Jesus said, “If anyone forces you to go one mile, go with them two miles.” (Matthew 5:41)
During the time of Jesus, the Roman Empire could compel a Jew to serve a Roman soldier by carrying a burden, but for no more than a mile. But Jesus taught that although they had a right to stop, they could choose to go on farther and do more than what was required.
We see that Jonathan also went that extra mile. He went out looking for David to encourage Him. He also devised a plan to help David escape from his father. He even went so far as to make a covenant with David. He went the extra mile.
Jesus likewise went that extra mile for us as well; it was called the road to Calvary.
Before Dennis graduated from the University of Nevada, Las Vegas he was owner of an office supply and equipment company, along with several other small businesses in Las Vegas. He graduated from the University of Nevada, Las Vegas, with a bachelor’s degree in business administration and a master of arts in theology from Talbot School of Theology, along with a master of divinity equivalency degree from Fuller Theological Seminary.
Dennis is a prolific writer. He presently has two books, “From Here to There: A Journey to Spiritual Transformation,” and “Wells of Living Waters,” along with other books and pamphlets that he describes as “down the pike.” He also writes a religious column for a local newspaper entitled, “Rediscover the Bible for Life,” along with daily devotionals and thoughts that he posts on Facebook, Twitter, LinkedIn, and Living Waters Fellowship’s Website.
Dennis is presently the senior pastor of Living Waters Fellowship in Mesquite, Nevada.
Feature Photo by Connor Wilkins
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