The Value of True Friendship

The Value of True Friendship

The Bible writes much about the value of friendship and defines what a true friendship is. Jesus defined for us what a true friend is, for He was not only a great Teacher, but also one who showed Himself a True Friend. His definition of being a friend is one who is entrusted with sacred or secret details. A friend is a person who is trustworthy and one who is willing to entrusts. A friend is one who you show loyalty and who will show loyalty to you in return. Friends are faithful and honest towards one another. They care about each other's well being; they make sacrifices for one another, as Jesus has laid his life for us. Jesus said in John 15:12-15, "My command is this: Love each other as I have loved you. Greater love has no one than this, that he lay down his life for his friends. You are my friends if you do what I command. 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 have learned from my Father I have made known to you."

Though it seems contradictory to what I defined my definition of a friend, Micah 7:5 writes, "Do not trust a neighbor; put no confidence in a friend." God's Word was saying that at that time, people will betray one another including your family. Sadly for every true friend that is out there, there are also people who are not true friends to one another. David writes on the pain of being betrayed by one he considered a confidant. In Psalm 41:9 he writes, "Yea, mine own familiar friend, in whom I trusted, which did eat of my bread, hath lifted up [his] heel against me." It is a shame that in this world, there are some people who don't know or understand the value of true friendship.

But God does. God will never leave us, slander us, abuse us, be pretentious towards us, nor forsake us. God is a Jealous God and He wants us to serve Him and Him only. Not only are we God's friends, we are His Children as well. Like Jonathan and David in 1Samuel, we too have a covenant that God will never break. He is the God that cannot lie. It is not in Him to be dishonest. Like David and Jonathan, God loves us as he loves his own soul.--1 Sam. 18:3 paraphrased. Also like Abraham who was righteous before God, "he was called God's Friend" because of his covenant and righteousness before God.

God however warns us in 2 Cor 6:14, "Do not be yoked together with unbelievers. For what do righteousness and wickedness have in common? Or what fellowship can light have with darkness?" In this world, there are people who say they are your friends, but you do not have your best interest at heart. Watch out for these people, for ""Bad company corrupts good character."--1 Cor 15:33 There are people who, in this world, are bad influences. Do not keep company with such people. They are amongst people who are friends with the world with all its sin. "James 4:4 writes, "You adulterous people, don't you know that friendship with the world is hatred toward God? Anyone who chooses to be a friend of the world becomes an enemy of God." Choose life not death. Choose wisdom not foolishness. Choose God's way, not Satan's way. God is the best Friend you will ever have. All you have to do is call on Him.