Following the progression should be just like our relationship with Jesus. When we accepted Jesus as Lord, we were just acquainted with Him at first. Then we entered into a casual friendship. As we spent time fellowshipping with Him, we got even closer. And by cultivating that close friendship, we entered into an intimate relationship and fellowship.
So these stages follow a progression and it's important not to get them out of order. You can't just jump from the first stage to the fourth.
Developing friendships takes a lot of time. That's one reason why you don't have many close friends. People get messed up because they think they can have five, six, and seven best friends, and they're trying to please them all. They don't have time for seven best friends!
I don't have time for any best friends. My best friend is my family. If I have time after my family, then maybe I'll give someone else some time (or maybe I'll just hide and take that time for myself).
Time is a valuable asset. You can't just throw it away on everyone who comes along.
And as your priorities change, you'll find your so-called friends will start dropping by the wayside - either that, or you'll have to drop them - because you're forced to reevaluate your priorities and your friendships.
God doesn't want you to be forced to do it. He wants you to do it on your own. You should naturally begin to evaluate your friendships. You probably already know which friends you need to cut off because you've found out they're selfish. They're not interested in helping you get where you need to go. They're only interested in what you can do for them.
That's not a friend. That's an acquaintance.
Knowing how to detect and terminate unwholesome friendships and learning how to develop genuine friendships are two of the most important skills you must have for lasting happiness.
Excerpt permission granted by Word Of Faith Publishing