These days, we have so many ways to keep in touch. There’s Facebook, Twitter, MySpace, email, texting, etc. People compete to see who can get the most “friends” or “likes” on their page. Are all of the “friends” on our accounts, mean we have that many real friends? Webster’s Dictionary states that a friend is “a person who has a strong liking for and trust in another”. The word “trust” sticks out in that definition. Do we trust all of our friends?
The Bible has a lot to say about friends. Proverbs 18:24 (NASB) says, “A man of many friends comes to ruin, But there is a friend who sticks closer than a brother.” Proverbs 17:17 (NASB) says, “A friend loves at all times, And a brother is born for adversity.” Proverbs 27:6 (NASB) says, “Faithful are the wounds of a friend, But deceitful are the kisses of an enemy.”
One of the most well-known verses about friendship is in John 15:13 (NASB), “Greater love has no one than this, that one lay down his life for his friends.” Jesus is saying this. And what did He do for us? He laid down His life for me! He continues in verse 14 with, “You are My friends, if you do what I command you.” Jesus called us His friends!
“Two are better than one because they have a good return for their labor. For if either of them falls, the one will lift up his companion. But woe to the one who falls when there is not another to lift him up. Furthermore, if two lie down together they keep warm, but how can one be warm alone? And if one can overpower him who is alone, two can resist him. A cord of three strands is not quickly torn apart.” Ecclesiastes 4:9-12 (NASB)
I really like these verses. It really has the essence of friendship. The Bible is telling us that friendship is really important! If we fall during our lives (and who doesn’t), our friend can be there to pick us up. We need to encourage those who are going through hard times. We need to comfort and be there when someone is doubting. We also need to stand beside our friend who is doing right, but being persecuted for it. Friendship takes a lot of work, but it is so worth it!