Growing into Christ (3)

I press toward the goal for the prize of the upward call of God in Christ Jesus. Philippians 3.14

Spiritual Friendship
Aelred of Rievaulx (1109-1167)
“And so in friendship are joined honesty and agreeableness, truth and pleasantness, sweetness and will, affection and action. All of these qualities come together in Christ, they are advanced through Christ, and in Christ they are perfected.”

In the Gospel of John, the apostle describes those who have come to Jesus as believing into Him. Theirs is no mere superficial faith, but goes to the very heart of Jesus, and resides there. Those who believe into Jesus (Greek: eis) are those who understand what Paul was writing about in our text: That the goal of our faith is in Jesus, in growing into Him, so that we are immersed and surrounded by Him, and are being transformed into His image. All our hope of joy, purpose, meaning, and life is in Christ Jesus, and we are growing into Him, helping and encouraging each other each step of the way. Friends help one another in becoming disciples of the Lord by pressing on together toward that prize, the high calling of knowing Christ, abiding in Him, being clothed with Him, walking with Him, showing and declaring Him to the world. This is the real prize of friendship, and the goal of disciple-making.

How might you improve some of your friendships so that each of you became more consistently focused on this prize?

T. M. Moore

Are you a soul friend?
What is the role of soul friendship in your work of making disciples? Are you cultivating an environment of mutual friendship, caring, and encouragement, or are you just running a program? Write to us at This email address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it., and we’ll send you a copy of our free brochure on Soul Friends. Make copies for yourself and all those you are discipling, then meet to discuss how your work together can become a fellowship of true friendship into the Lord.

Pastoral Hope Initiative
Pastor, where are you in your walk with and work for the Lord? Are you growing? Covering all the bases? Working fruitfully toward the Kingdom of God? Our Pastoral Hope Initiative can help you establish a framework and baseline for steady, fruitful growth into the Lord Jesus; and for the remainder of this spring, we’re waiving the fee for men who want to work through this 14-week protocol. Watch this brief video, then, if you’re interested, let me hear from you at This email address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it..

The Fellowship of Ailbe is supported through the generous and faithful gifts of those who benefit from and believe in our work. Does the Lord want to use you in this way? Please look to Him in prayer over this question. You can contribute to The Fellowship of Ailbe by using the Contribute button at our website, or by sending your gift to The Fellowship of Ailbe, 19 Tyler Drive, Essex Junction, VT 05452. Thank you.

Except as indicated, Scripture taken from the New King James Version. © Copyright 1982 by Thomas Nelson, Inc. Used by permission. All rights reserved.All quotations from Aelred of Rievaulx, Spiritual Friendship, tr. By Mark F. Williams (Scranton: The University of Scranton Press, 1994, 2002).