A Ramble (Part 2)

Continued from this post.

What is a Friend? (Part 2)

My American Dictionary of the English Language (Noah Webster 1828) defines a friend as:

1.      One who is attached to another by affection; one who entertains for another sentiments of esteem, respect and affection, which lead him to desire his company, and to seek to promote his happiness and prosperity; opposed to foe or enemy.

 

So what does the Bible say about friends?

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

Ecclesiastes 4:9-12 says: Two are better than one, because they have a good reward for their toil. For if they fall, one will lift up his fellow. But woe to him who is alone when he falls and has not another to lift him up! Again, if two lie together, they keep warm, but how can one keep warm alone? And though a man might prevail against one who is alone, two will withstand him—a threefold cord is not quickly broken.

Proverbs 27:17 states: Iron sharpens iron, and one man sharpens another.

Job 6:4: “He who withholds kindness from a friend forsakes the fear of the Almighty.

John 15:13 says: Greater love has no one than this, that someone lay down his life for his friends.

And that’s only a few short verses!

 

 So, does have expectations and seeking a good friend mean you quit the relationship as soon as things get a little messy or they wrong you? Uh, NO! How will you every have any healthy relationships if you walk away the moment you begin to be tested?

If that relationship is really worth something to you, you have got to stick with it! What happened to that expectation of them always being there for you? Shouldn’t you be there for them as well? In order to have a good friend you need to be a good friend. Don’t be that person who people come away from feeling angry, hurt or misused.

True friends are hard to come by. Yes! And that’s what makes it so totally worth it! You have to work at cultivating those relationships and keeping them healthy. 

“Nothing worthwhile should be easy. If it’s easy, we don’t value it.” ~ David Eddings

So recap:

1.      People are gonna be people. In other words NOT perfect.

2.      Have reasonable standards for your friendships.

3.      Live up to your reasonable standards.

4.      Have Christ as your best friend FIRST.

So go make some friends!