Daily Meditation -  UNIVERSAL VALUES- Teaching Series

FRIENDSHIP AND FELLOWSHIP

Be Friendly with Every One!
BY
Patriarch John Williams

INTRODUCTION
 
Friendship and Fellowship are inter-related and inter-twined concepts.  Friendship will lead to Fellowship and Fellowship will lead to Friendship. If we can be friendly with every one, then the world will be like a paradise.  It is important that we have a clear understanding and insight about Friendship and Fellowship. 

When once we get this revelation, we should make a decision to really crave for this, and should make a decision to adopt this principle in our  life.  It does not just happen until and unless we understand the real value of Friendship and Fellowship, and take steps to make this our life style; to make friends of every one we come across in life; and maintain good fellowship with them to the extent possible. 

As a matter of fact, God who has made it possible for such a relationship, has created man in His own image and after His likeness, and started having Fellowship and Friendship with him.  No other kind of relationship is greater than Friendship and Fellowship. 

In many professional Organizations also, the term Fellowship is used to refer to their membership, which is probably the highest status or privilege that some one who is in that profession can have.  It is actually a relationship of oneness, faithfulness, loyalty, sacrifice, contribution, friendship, truthfulness, being supportive to each other etc. 

1. WHAT IS FRIENDSHIP?

• Friendship is the highest form of relationship, any one can have on this earth

• Friendship is treating each other with love, affection and concern

• Friendship is bearing the burdens of each other

• Friendship is helping each other without any limits and without expecting anything in return

• Friendship is being willing to make sacrifices for each other

• Friendship is having great respect and regard for each other

• Friendship is trusting each other and depending on each other

• Friendship is the desire, willingness and interest in fellowshipping with each other

• Friendship is engaging in some common activities and pursuits

• Friendship is a relationship that we should have with everyone including our own family members, neighbors and strangers!

2. WHY SHOULD WE BE FRIENDLY WITH EVERYONE?

• Because it is the most enjoyable social relationship that any one can have

• Because it is something that is very fulfilling and satisfying

• Because it is the most meaningful and worthwhile relationship that anybody can have 

• Because it is the something divine and spiritual

• Because it is the commandment of God

• Because it is an innate and inborn ability and quality that every one is endowed with and it has to be experienced and developed

• Because it is very supportive and strengthening in all areas of life

• Because it is the greatest experience we can have in our social life

3. HOW CAN WE BE FRIENDLY WITH EVERYONE?

• By making a decision 

• By realizing and knowing its value

• By spending time

• By taking initiative

• By making it a rule in our life

• By forgiving and forgetting any wrong done unto us

• By doing good

• By looking for opportunities to be a blessing to others, without seeking for opportunities to receive blessings

• By having a good and positive attitude towards every one

• By overlooking and forgiving the faults, weaknesses and frailties of others

• By focusing on the good, positive and encouraging others, when they do or attempt to do something valuable and worthy!  

CONCLUSION

Friendship and Fellowship with every one we come across in our life, regardless of who they are, what they do and what they believe in, should be our value, life style, goal, decision and desire !!!! 

 - THE END -

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