Christian Friendship

“Greater love hath no man than this, that a man lay down his life for his friends.” John 15:13

Friendship does not just automatically happen. Genuine friendship is an expression of love and godliness. It is groomed through servanthood. Lack of fellowship makes you spiritually drowsy. Remember how Jonah fell asleep in the bottom of the boat when he was running from the call of God? He did not think the people of Ninevah should have God’s blessing and forgiveness, so he isolated himself in the bottom of the boat and fell fast asleep. (See John 1:5.) Spiritual drowsiness is nothing less than apathy.

There are five qualities seen in Christian friendship:

1)  FAITHFULNESS.  SAYING it and BEING it are two different things (Proverbs 20:6).

2)  CONFIDENTIALITY.  Some things are better kept secret (Proverbs 11:13, 17:9).

3)  A GOOD REPORT.  Jonathan spoke well of David before Saul, his father (I Samuel 19:4). Jesus likened a BAD report about someone to murder (Matthew 5:21-22).

4)  HONESTY.  Through mercy (forgiveness) and truth (honesty) you CAN please both God and man (Proverbs 3:3, 4).

5)  COVENANT.  Repeat vows of friendship.  “…a threefold cord [you, your friend, and the Holy Spirit] is not quickly broken.” (Ecclesiastes 4:12b)

PRAY: “Father, develop these qualities of friendship in me today. Amen.”