Christian Friends
"Where two or three are gathered in My name, there am I among them."
MATTHEW 18:20
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Christian Friends
Even if one's heart is well grounded by the Holy Spirit, it remains a great advantage to have a brother with whom one can converse about religion and from whom one can hear words of comfort. . .. I for my part consider the loss of all my possessions less important than that of a faithful friend. When Christ was wrestling with temptation in the garden (Matthew 26:37ff.), we see Him seeking comfort among His three disciples. When Paul, in Acts 28:15, saw the brethren coming to meet him, he took courage from the sight and experienced comfort. Loneliness distresses a person who is solitary and deprived of his intimate friends. He can exert himself and struggle against it, but he does not overcome it without great difficulty. Everything is less burdensome if you have a brother with you; for then the promise applies (Matthew 18:20): "Where two or three are gathered in My name, there am I in the midst of them." Therefore solitude should be shunned and the companionship of familiar people sought, especially in spiritual perils.
From Lectures on Genesis (Luther's Works 2:335)
MATTHEW 18:20
+
Christian Friends
Even if one's heart is well grounded by the Holy Spirit, it remains a great advantage to have a brother with whom one can converse about religion and from whom one can hear words of comfort. . .. I for my part consider the loss of all my possessions less important than that of a faithful friend. When Christ was wrestling with temptation in the garden (Matthew 26:37ff.), we see Him seeking comfort among His three disciples. When Paul, in Acts 28:15, saw the brethren coming to meet him, he took courage from the sight and experienced comfort. Loneliness distresses a person who is solitary and deprived of his intimate friends. He can exert himself and struggle against it, but he does not overcome it without great difficulty. Everything is less burdensome if you have a brother with you; for then the promise applies (Matthew 18:20): "Where two or three are gathered in My name, there am I in the midst of them." Therefore solitude should be shunned and the companionship of familiar people sought, especially in spiritual perils.
From Lectures on Genesis (Luther's Works 2:335)
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