Friendship



Posted: Saturday, August 13, 2011

by John Waddey
firstcenturychristian

A true friend is a rare and treasured find. Such will last and bless us for a life time. Rossalle Carter wrote, "I think that God will never send a gift so precious as a friend..." Everyone agrees on the value of friendship, but not all have friends to bless their lives. How does one build and maintain lasting friendships? It is important to realize that friendship is always a two way street. "He that hath friends must show himself friendly" (Prov. 18:24 KJV). Michelet expressed a similar thought, "The way to gain a friend is to be one."

A friend is compassionate. Job complained to his thoughtless friends. "To him that is afflicted pity should be shewed from his friend..." (Job 6:14). Dale Carnegie correctly observed, "You can make more friends in two months by becoming interested in other people than you can in two years by trying to get other people interested in you." The TV commercial rightly advised, "Reach our and touch someone." Friendship means active involvement with those we cherish.

A friend is one you can trust. When betrayed by Ahithophel, King David sadly mused, "mine own familiar friend, in whom I trusted" (Ps. 41:9). Friends step in when others step out. A friend will never get in your way unless you are falling. Fidelity is an essential element of true friendship. "A constant friend is a thing rare and hard to find" (Plutarch).

A friend will be protective. He will believe the best about you until you force him to think otherwise. He will put the most positive and generous construction on your words and deeds. He will defend your good name, when others assail you. The wise Solomon wrote, "He that covereth a transgression seeketh love; but he that repeateth a matter separateth chief friends." (Prov. 17:9).

A friend will be friendly to others. A poet observed:

"I went out to find a friend,

But could not find one there.

I went out to be a friend,

And friends were everywhere."

Every successful friend has first shown himself warm and friendly to others (Prov. 18:24 KJV). Friendliness is like a communicable disease, it spreads to most of the people around you. Like a pleasant fragrance in the air it impresses everyone you meet.

Friendship is constructive. "Faithful are the wounds of a friend; but the kisses of an enemy are profuse" (Prov. 27:6). Better to be constructively criticized by a friend than to be praised by one who will not speak his true feelings except in your absence. Everyone needs a friend who will level with him when necessary; who will help him grow to be a better person. "Friends are as companions on a journey, who ought to aid each other to persevere on the road to a happier life" (Pythagoras).

Dependability is the hallmark of a friend. "A friend loveth at all times and a brother is born for adversity" (Prov. 17:17). Fair weather friends are not worthy of the name or our confidence. Can your friends always count on you?

In addition to our earthly friends, we should, like Abraham, strive to be the friend of God (Jas. 2:23). Jesus proved his friendship for us by laying down his life for us (John 15:13). We will be his friends if we do the things he has commanded in his Word (John 15:14).

Friends are surely among our most valued possessions. A Christian should be the best, the most dependable friend in the world. "A foe to God was ne’er true friend to man. Some sinister intent taints all he does" (Ed. Young). What kind of friend are you? How do you treat your friends?
Importance of Friendship
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Top-level comments on this article: (1 total)
» left by yosef iranman
from beautiful Iran 286 days 19 hours ago.
I think being friendly really works. In real world I have lots of friends; I have a trouble of forgetting names. It really bothers me when some friends think I am a close friend but I can’t remember their names. I saved close friendship just for God. When you love people but you figure out you don’t need them for your happiness. It attracts people. When you seem thirsty it reduces your self-steam. I think for having a good friend one must be a good lovely creature and works on his/her goodness. One must keep his/her eyes open for fortuitous moments that real friendship anchoring can take place. Anchors are moments we pass with each other (to be the best moments), common concerns (to increase), differences (to wonder and enjoy), troubles (to support our friends).

I used some words I learned from 1100 words you need to know. I wish I communicate better to have more universal friends in internet too :)

» left by John Waddey from Arizona 283 days 11 hours ago.
Dear Yosef: Thank you for sharing your thoughts on friendship. You are doing well with your vocabulary. To help you remember names, try jotting them down on a small card while they are fresh in your mind. You can look at the card numerous times until you have the name firmly recorded in your memory. Another suggestion is to ask them to repeat their name and then repeat it outloud. Try to associate the name with something about the person. If Jack Smith is a carpenter, put the two together, Jack Smith the carpenter. If Ms Mary Brown is a teacher, remember her as Mary Brown the school teacher.

Always remember that friendship grows when two people both wish to interact act with each other. There must be respect for the other person, his views, his property, his religion. Of course he must return the same to you. Two good friends make both much stronger just as two sticks are stronger together than apart.

John
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