It is usually said that Christians are some of the most difficult people to get along with. Also a common perception among saints or believers is the feeling that their congregation is often unfriendly and expresses little love among each other.
Perhaps the reason for that is that too often we are of the view that we ought to be "friends" with each person we meet and should accord the same kind of treatment generally. However from a spiritual perspective it is useful for us to reconsider the perception that is commonly held regarding friendships and relationships. Depending on who you are there are different depths to the two.
Friendships are usually more intimate. The individuals draw close, relationally there is chemistry. A relationship, while it is the basis of a friendship is more cordial and stems from an association or connection of people on a common ground working toward a common goal.
As Christians therefore, we bear several commonalities. We are partners of the gospel with the common goal of one day reigning with Christ in eternity. At the moment we are not called to be friends, but to build relationships with both God and man.
At the start of His ministry 5,000 people followed Jesus, but at the end reference is made of only one who loved Him. For the purpose of His ministry it was necessary for Him to relate with the mulititude, but He was not "friends" with all He came in contact with.
The apostle Paul enjoyed three kinds of relationships. One with someone older, his mentor Gamaliel, from whom he learned the law; one with someone wh owas on the same level as he, Barnabas, with whome he evangelized Macedonia; and someone younger, Timothy, whith whome he shared his wisdom.
Yet nowhere in the Scripture does it say Paul was "friends" with any of these three. However a relational bond was forged. Therefore we should pursue relationships rather than friendships in order to get the work of the Kingdom done.
