In my ninety-one years on this earth, I have come to believe that the purpose of man is to know this awesome God—to love Him, serve Him, and worship Him—and to make Him known.
And I believe that God has not only made us for that and commanded us to do that, but in His grace, He has also shown us how. He has shown us the way. And it is through friendship.
This “having fellowship with one another,” that He makes possible, is the revolution that can heal the centuries’ old hurts and hatreds that divide us.
Because we are friends with Him, we do not have to cross these divides alone. We are not meant to.
Friendship is the ship we are meant to take along our pilgrim journey, loving one another, and even laying down our lives for one another if necessary.
I believe that God models perfectly for us what this kind of biblical friendship looks like. It pursues even those who are unlikely, unqualified, and unworthy. Biblical friendship goes deep. It doesn’t settle for surface talk. Biblical friendship forgives and does so without limit.
Biblical friendship reaches across lines of ethnicity, gender, and social status. Jesus showed us how to do that.
He was God in the flesh, yet He came as a helpless child born to a virgin. He came in humility—not at all what you would expect of a king.
He was a friend of prostitutes, tax collectors, and lepers. He showed us how to reach across and show love to people who don’t look like us.
He modeled true friendship when He gave His life for His friends.
About The Author:
In 1970, Dr. Perkins was tortured at the hands of the Mississippi police for his leadership in the voting rights movement.
His radical forgiveness and tireless pursuit of biblical justice set him on a course where he would counsel six American Presidents, receive 16 honorary doctorates, and bring healing to broken communities around the world.
His life is a masterclass on purpose, friendship, and joyful endurance.
At 91, he wants to pass the baton to the next generation and has created a six-part masterclass to help you discover your God-given purpose in life. To sign up for the free masterclass, visit johnmperkins.com.
“Dr. John M. Perkins (born June 16, 1930) is an American Christian minister, civil rights activist, Bible teacher, best-selling author, philosopher, and community developer.
He is the founder and President Emeritus of the John & Vera Mae Perkins Foundation with his wife, Vera Mae Perkins (also known as “Grandma Perkins”). He is co-founder of the Christian Community Development Association (CCDA).
Despite being a third-grade dropout, Perkins has been recognized for his work with 16 honorary doctorate degrees from schools including Belhaven University, Virginia University of Lynchburg, Wheaton College, Gordon College, Taylor University, Northern Seminary and Millsaps College.
He has served on the Boards of Directors of World Vision and Prison Fellowship. Perkins has advised and/or served on the Presidential Task Forces of five U.S. Presidents. He is the author of 17 books, including the best-selling One Blood: Parting Words to the Church on Race.”
