Let it be our delight to find our society in the circle of which

Hear, O seekers of truth, the words of Charles Spurgeon, the Prince of Preachers, who declared: “Let it be our delight to find our society in the circle of which Jesus is the center, and let us make those our friends who are the friends of Jesus.” These words shine like a lamp to guide the faithful, for they speak not merely of earthly companionship, but of fellowship that is eternal. In them is revealed a truth as old as the Church itself: that a life rooted in Christ finds its truest joy not in the riches of the world, nor in the acclaim of men, but in a circle of love drawn around the Savior.

Spurgeon’s call is simple, yet profound: let Jesus be the center. For every society has a center—whether it be wealth, power, fame, or pleasure. But such centers are shifting sands, unstable and unworthy. To build your fellowship around them is to build your house upon the stormy sea. But to anchor your society in Christ is to stand upon the Rock of Ages, unshaken when the winds howl. Spurgeon knew this well, for he preached in an age when industrial wealth and social class often dictated friendship, yet he urged his hearers to form bonds not of status, but of shared devotion.

Consider, O listeners, the story of the early Christians in Jerusalem. They were not drawn together by wealth or rank, for many were poor and despised. Yet they gathered daily, “in one accord,” sharing bread, prayers, and their very lives. Their society had Christ as its center, and in this fellowship of faith, they endured persecution, poverty, and rejection, yet triumphed in spirit. Their strength did not come from outward power, but from the unshakable circle of Christ-centered love. Spurgeon’s words echo this same ancient model: true friendship and true community are those rooted in Jesus.

Yet let it be remembered that Spurgeon does not merely call us to seek Christ for ourselves, but to choose our friends wisely—“make those our friends who are the friends of Jesus.” For the company we keep shapes our hearts. To walk with the scornful is to grow bitter; to join with the greedy is to learn covetousness; to bond with the faithless is to forget eternity. But to walk with the faithful, to love those who love Christ, is to be strengthened in the path of righteousness. The bonds of such friendship are not easily broken, for they are sealed by the Spirit and sanctified by prayer.

History bears witness to the power of such friendships. Consider the holy bond between David and Jonathan, knit together in loyalty and sacrifice, their hearts bound not by ambition, but by love that sought God’s will above all. Or look to the fellowship of John Wesley and George Whitefield, who, though they disagreed on doctrine, spurred one another to boldness in preaching, and thus ignited revival across nations. These friendships remind us that when Jesus is the center, even flawed men and women can achieve great works for God’s kingdom.

The meaning of Spurgeon’s counsel, then, is both joyful and practical. To delight in a Christ-centered society is not to reject the world, but to live in it with a higher allegiance. It is to build friendships not on shallow pleasures, but on the pursuit of holiness. It is to surround yourself with those who lift your eyes to heaven, who remind you of grace when you falter, who pray for you when you are weary, and who rejoice with you when God blesses your path.

So take this teaching into your heart: let Jesus be the center of your circle. Seek friends who walk in His ways, and be such a friend to others. If your society is grounded in Him, you shall not fear the storms of life, nor walk alone in the valley of shadow. For those who gather around Christ will find not only fellowship for today, but eternal joy in the kingdom to come.

Thus remember Spurgeon’s words as both command and promise: Delight in the society where Jesus reigns, and befriend those who are His friends. In this, you shall find not only peace for yourself, but strength for the Church, and a circle of love that no power on earth can destroy.