I am talking to you Gentiles inasmuch as I am the apostle to the Gentiles, I make much of ministry in the hope that I may somehow arouse my own people to envy and save some of them. Romans 11:13-14

When talking with others it should be our hope that what Christ has shown us will be shown through us. Paul writes to the Romans in the hope that if he can somehow show them the amazing things God has done for them that they may become envious of that and somehow seek out the joy of the Lord too. Paul lives his life in such a way that his goal is not to receive the praises of men but so that they might be blessed in the same way he has been blessed by Christ. When talking about what God has done in our lives our goal should not be to boast, but to show an example of what God has done so that our friends may too become hungry for what we have found and in a way that we can begin to show them how to get what we have. It is our duty out of love to show others what God is doing and the desire we have for others to experience what we have is evidence of this love. If we lead others to Christ through our love for them then we are obeying Christ's commandment to love one another. Live your life so that the love you have for your friends may lead them to the love you have been shown in Christ.

Too often we become trapped in the desires of this world. For so long we think I want to be a good Christian so that others may step back and say wow look at them, but this is wrong friends! When we surrender our desire for praise of man for the glory of God people will be able to stand back and say wow, but not because of you but because of Christ in you. By this I mean that if we show others how a friendship with Christ has changed our lives it will show that our desires have turned from selfish pride to true love of friends and hopes that they may too be shown the wonders of God. When you know true friendship by Christ's love then you will be able to be a true friend and lead an example that is self-sacrificing and is only concerned with the betterment of that friend instead of yourself. You have already been bettered by Christ and you will be fulfilled in all you know by desiring for your friends what you have been given. Give out of the goodness of friendship not out of your desire to be validated by another for leading a Christian life. For if you know in your heart you are following Christ's command to show friendship and love then you should rest knowing that God is pleased and then you will be blessed.

Live in such a way that shows others how wonderfully whole God has made you but do not become proud. If you truly have friendship at heart you don't have to worry about worldly pride because your desire is already what Christ has commanded. In wishing for the best for your friends you have already received the reward of knowing you are doing what Christ commanded and therefore will not need earthly affirmation of what you divinely have been provided. Righteousness will be your reward for having a pure heart so approach friendship with a pure soul and do it for the betterment of the other more than your own, for it is then that you will receive the reward that following Christ's commandment to love one another.

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Dear Lord,
    We pray that you will help our hearts to remain humble and that we will live a life that will cause others to envy us. We pray for them to envy us not because we need earthly affirmation but because of the love you command us to have. We pray for them to be envious so that we may lead them to you and we pray you will give us the strength and help us rest in the reward of pleasing you. We praise you for your friendship and thank you for your faithfulness. Help us to live according to your word so that we may bless others and in turn rejoice in fellowship over what you have done in all of our lives. In Jesus' Name, Amen!