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Friendship

Posted by Rudy Bropleh on

A young man once told his mentor that his “friends” had abducted a lady, taken her car and her money, traumatized her, and finally released her. The police came looking for the culprits, asking questions in his neighborhood, but he offered no information. When asked by his mentor why he didn’t tell the police what he knew, the young man responded, “I can’t; they are my friends!”
 
What kind of friendship is that? A friend is one who you know well and regard with affection and trust. The key word here is trust—which is normally associated with words like integrity, dependability, and good character. So the word trust usually carries a positive connotation. A friend should be a positive influence upon the life of the one that he or she befriends. Friends encourage their friends to do right and discourage their friends from doing wrong.
 
When the apostle Paul wrote to his friend Philemon he said this: “I always thank my God as I remember you in my prayers, because I hear about your faith in the Lord Jesus and your love for all the saints. I pray that you may be active in sharing your faith, so that you will have a full understanding of every good thing we have in Christ. Your love has given me great joy and encouragement, because you, brother, have refreshed the hearts of the saints (Philemon 1:4-7). Paul’s friend Philemon, brought love, joy, and encouragement to their relationship. Thus, their friendship was refreshing.
 
What words do you use to describe your friendships? Are your friends supportive and encouraging of you when you try to do right? Or are they disapproving of your honest and hard work?  Proverbs 27:9 tells us that “Perfume and incense bring joy to the heart, and the pleasantness of a friend springs from their heartfelt advice.” Your friends should bring joy, laughter, and pleasant things into your life.
 
A 2nd grader was asked for her definition of friendship and she replied, “A friend is one who knows all about you, yet still loves you.” That is the kind of friend that you will find in Jesus. “Greater love has no one than this: to lay down one’s life for one’s friends.” (John 15:13).
Value good friendship: and make sure Jesus Christ is at the top of your friends list.
 
Wisdom for Your Week
If you won’t help me, then don’t hurt me. 
 

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