I have lost friends over the years, in every single case, it was because of disagreements about theology or those who were pretenders in the church who walked away from their faith.
Over the years I realized that when someone cannot love you because you disagree on something, or because you have exposed false teaching, then I am confident they were never your friend.
In these days of apostasy when people are dedicated to politics, this world, and their enjoyment of life, it will be difficult to find believers who love Christ more than they love anyone else including themselves.
John 15:12-14 "12 This is My commandment, that you love one another as I have loved you. 13 Greater love has no one than this, that he lay down his life for his friends. 14 You are My friends if you do what I command you.…"
Luke 14:26-27 "26“If anyone comes to Me and does not hate his father and mother and wife and children and brothers and sisters— yes, even his own life— he cannot be My disciple. 27 And whoever does not carry his cross and follow Me cannot be My disciple.…'
Those who desire to follow Christ with their entire being will experience rejection and abandonment. Do not be surprised and above all have such a heavenly perspective that it only hurts a little when we are rejected, if at all.
As we mature in Christ and love Him more than anyone or anything else our emotional responses to rejection, mocking and demeaning will have little to no effect on us.
But in order to get to this point of loving God more than the world we must spend time with Him, speak to Him and about Him throughout the day. If our prayer is weak and our attention to His word is scanty, we will not be strong when the storms come.
Jude 1:19-20 "…19 These are the ones who cause divisions, who are worldly and devoid of the Spirit. 20 But you, beloved, by building yourselves up in your most holy faith and praying in the Holy Spirit, 21 keep yourselves in the love of God as you await the mercy of our Lord Jesus Christ to bring you eternal life.…'"
