Friendships

FRIENDSHIPS

How important are friendships and what does the Bible have to say about them?

The importance of friendships.

Friendships are a great source of strength and stability for our lives. Someone once noted that a person can usually count their true friends on one hand. While we may have many “friends” and acquaintances, but true friends are actually a rare gift in our lives.

Solomon teaches us the importance of friendships in Ecclesiastes.

^{Ecc 11:1} Cast your bread upon the waters, for after many days you will find it again.

^{Ecc 11:2} Give portions to seven, yes to eight, for you do not know what disaster may come upon the land.

^{Ecc 4:9} Two are better than one, because they have a good return for their work:

^{Ecc 4:10} If one falls down, his friend can help him up. But pity the man who falls and has no one to help him up! ^{Ecc 4:11} Also, if two lie down together, they will keep warm. But how can one keep warm alone? ^{Ecc 4:12} Though one may be overpowered, two can defend themselves. A cord of three strands is not quickly broken.

These passages not only tell us that friends are there for protection and strength but they are for encouragement, comfort and companionship. Friends work together, rejoice together, guide one another and support one another.

Who we choose as friends is important. It is said that a person’s character is shown by the company they keep.

^{1Co 15:33} Do not be misled: “Bad company corrupts good character.”

^{Pr 18:24} A man of many companions may come to ruin, but there is a friend who sticks closer than a brother.

The character of a true friend.

While many people choose friends because they’re fun to be with or they’re popular, the Bible stresses their character as very important.

True friends are there when you are not at your best.

^{Pr 17:17} A friend loves at all times, and a brother is born for adversity.

A true friend always has your best interest at heart and you never have to fear their motives.

^{Pr 27:6} Wounds from a friend can be trusted, but an enemy multiplies kisses.

^{Pr 27:7} He who is full loathes honey, but to the hungry even what is bitter tastes sweet.

^{Pr 27:8} Like a bird that strays from its nest is a man who strays from his home.

^{Pr 27:9} Perfume and incense bring joy to the heart, and the pleasantness of one’s friend springs from his earnest counsel. ^{Pr 27:10} Do not forsake your friend and the friend of your father, and do not go to your brother’s house when disaster strikes you, better a neighbor nearby than a brother far away.

True friends carry you when you cannot carry yourself. They bring you before God not only physically but also in prayer.

^{Mk 2:3} Some men came, bringing to him a paralytic, carried by four of them.

^{Mk 2:4} Since they could not get him to Jesus because of the crowd, they made an opening in the roof above Jesus and, after digging through it, lowered the mat the paralyzed man was lying on. ^{Mk 2:5} When Jesus saw their faith, he said to the paralytic, “Son, your sins are forgiven”.

True friends forgive even when it costs them to do so.

^{Jn 15:13} Greater love has no one than this, that he lay down his life for his friends.

^{Jn 15:14} You are my friends if you do what I command. ^{Jn 15:15} I no longer call you servants, because a servant does not know his master’s business. Instead, I have called you friends, for everything that I learned from my Father I have made known to you. ^{Jn 15:16} You did not choose me, but I chose you and appointed you to go and bear fruit —fruit that will last. Then the Father will give you whatever you ask in my name.

^{Jn 15:17} This is my command: Love each other.

Since friendships are so important to our life we should choose them wisely and not make strong friendships without consideration of their faith and character. We also must remember that if we desire good friends we must also be prepared to be a good friend.