Friendship

by Tony Huddleston

One of the most wonderful blessings in a Christian's life is that of friendship. Most of us have experienced great value from having true friends in our lives. In a sense, we should all be friends of one another in the family of God, but there is a type of friend that's even closer, someone with whom we can trust and share.

Although Jesus had many friends and followers, He had a special closeness with Peter, James, and John. He chose those three to view His transfiguration. ( Matthew 17: 1-8).
John was called "the disciple whom Jesus loved". ( John 20:2, John 21:7,20)

In order to have friends, we must learn and practice friendship.

"A man that hath friends must shew himself friendly: and there is a friend that sticketh closer than a brother." ( Proverbs 18:24).

What are the characteristics of friendship?

• Love – To care for the well-being of another as you would yourself. To care for both the physical and spiritual welfare of another.
• Selflessness - Are our motives to have someone befriend us, or do we reach out to be a friend ourselves?
• Sincerity -Being genuine without hypocrisy. The "friends" of Job were only feigning friendship in order to rebuke him. God was angered by their form of friendship. ( Job 42:7)
• Sharing – The greatest benefit of true friends is the ability to share part of one's self. This is only possible when there is absolute trust. David found this kind of friend in Jonathan. ( 1 Samuel 18:1,3). For those of us who are married, our spouse should be our best friend.

To become a true friend of another may not always be easy, but the rewards are tremendous. If we cultivate love and kindness in our lives, as taught by our Savior, the development of true friendships will soon follow.