Men of the Bible Series - Onesiphorus was a close friend to the apostle Paul
He was never ashamed of me because I was in chains. When he came to Rome, he searched everywhere until he found me.
May the Lord show him special kindness on the day of Christ’s return. And you know very well how helpful he was in Ephesus.
Even though you may be surrounded by people everywhere that you go, it doesn't mean that you have a good friend, someone that will pick you up and encourage you and be with you no matter what. That kind of person can be difficult to find.
The apostle Paul had people all around him and no doubt many of the people were friendly, after all he brought good news everywhere that he went and people were being changed by the gospel, they had every reason to be friendly. But would they be there when the chips were down? What would happen when the rocks started being thrown and the beating started?
Paul spent several years in Ephesus and there was a great revival there. Paul said that Onesiphorus was helpful to his ministry in Ephesus, maybe that was where their friendship began. Onesiphorus was an encouragement to Paul, he visited him and built Paul up, he was even there for him when Paul was bound in chains. Paul's popularity was probably at it's lowest time then but Onesiphorus was humble and courageous and wasn't afraid to be associated with Paul.
When the polls are up you can ride high and enjoy the popularity but if you do not take the time to develop real friends then a day will come when the polls will plunge and then you will be left alone. Take some time to look past the shallow acquaintances that fill your Facebook friend list and establish some real friends that will be there for you no matter what.
I need to be a real friend, Lord help me to be a loyal friend that will help when the rest of the world runs away.
You might like to read: Men of the Bible blog series.
