The dictionary describes friendship as a stronger form of interpersonal bond than an association. An interpersonal relationship is strong and deep. The situation can vary from family or kinship, relations, friendship, marriage, relations with associates, work, clubs, neighbors, and places of worship. But let’s talk about friendship. True friendship strives for unity of purpose, will, desire, heart, and mind. There must be complete trust and transparency, with no hidden agendas. True friendship goes beyond love as the world understands it.
I was told when it comes to friendships, my standards are high. I had to stop and think about that for a moment. Ok, it’s true. I have few friends so I guess that proves it. The question is, is that a good or bad thing? The one person that is closet to me I don’t even call a friend, I call my “Person”. That is because the word friend does not do justice to how I feel or our relationship (you know who you are). My Person has shown me what a true friend is. I believe people tend to use the word friend too loosely. Everybody that is in your life is not your friend! In my humble opinion, there would be less hurt and disappointment if people would recognize that. So yes, I do set high standards when it comes to friendships or any other relationships in my life. Someone said that everybody they meet is a friend until they prove otherwise. And that’s ok for them. For me, it doesn’t make sense to go through drama or hurt just to find that person was faking it. But then I always rear on the side of caution. Everybody is different. I say having at least one “Person” in your life, is better than having thousands of friends. A true friendship is one of God’s greatest gifts.
One of the noblest friendships in the Old Testament developed between Jonathan and David. They achieved true friendship despite difficult circumstances. The Lord chose David to succeed King Saul. Jonathon traditionally would have been heir to the throne instead of David, so it would have been natural for him to see David as his enemy. Yet when David returned from the battlefield and appeared in King Saul’s court with the head of Goliath in his hand, the Bible says “the soul of Jonathan was knit with the soul of David, and Jonathan loved him as his own soul”(1 Samuel 17:57, 18:1). Jonathan’s love for David is even more remarkable when contrasted with his father Saul. Saul, out of jealousy tried to kill David. Jonathan helped David escape while he tried to soften Saul’s heart (Samuel 19:4-5). Jonathan was David’s “Person”.
The Lord Jesus Christ gave us the definition of a true friend: “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 learned from my Father I have made known to you” (John 15:13-15) Jesus is the pure example of a true friend, for He laid down His life for His “friends.” The good news is, anyone may become His friend by trusting in Him as his personal savior, being born again and receiving new life in Him. We are blessed if we have at least one friend here on earth. We are more than blessed if we have accepted Jesus as our friend and savior! Read today’s FOOD FOR THE SOUL for a definition of love and true friendship. Love and Blessings…
EMMANUEL 