Friendship is a gift from God and an important opportunity for sharing the experience of Christian living. Friendship is a way to connect with others, to support each other, to learn from each other, and to grow together in faith. Friends are a reminder that you are not alone in your journey and that through friendship, you will enjoy love, support, and encouragement. True friends are there for one another in good times and bad, offering comfort and help. Make many of these kinds of friends by being one yourself for others.
Making friends begins with remembering that Jesus said, “Love your neighbor.” Wake up every day and ask yourself, “What can I do for my family and friends today?” If, instead, your thoughts are about you, your goals, your dreams, and your ambitions, you are inwardly focused, thinking selfishly rather than selflessly. Yes, I know, it is such a challenge to be selfless, but it is a worthy goal, nonetheless. Encourage your friends and stir them to do good deeds so that your fellowship in Jesus might increase. It is through relationships with others that you will grow in your faith and support others as they navigate their own unique journey. Christ, the perfect one without sin, laid down his life for us, sinners, and in return asked that we give comfort to those in trouble, sharing the comfort that we first received from him. If you love as he loved, you cannot refuse to comfort your suffering brother. Let your love for others be deep and enduring, not shallow and brief, and you will be a good friend indeed.
Remember, to be a good friend may mean speaking an unwelcome truth. Do not hesitate to speak boldly but kindly to your friends and turn them away from false hope and worldly concerns. Do this carefully, with concern and compassion, never with self-righteous scolding. Do this bravely, not fearfully, for speaking up at all on heavenly matters is a confession of how much you care. If you care about them in this life, how much more you should care about them in the next! Be zealous, enthusiastic, and accepting, making the needs of your friends your own and helping them, caring for one another in the same loving fellowship as Christ cares for you. Make yourself welcome with your encouraging and uplifting words. Encourage your friends and stir them to do good deeds so that the cause of Christ may be made stronger in number. You will be richly rewarded when you grow together in Jesus.
It is important to seek and nurture friendships, especially those that help you grow in your faith. On the other hand, bad company corrupts good character, period. Unfortunately, everyone will not want to be your friend. Do not be led astray by the unbelievers who may mock your faith. Turn to the body of believers for your spiritual companionship and fortification, and bask in the fellowship of that safe refuge, for the church and its members are a safe harbor from the pains of darkness. It is better to have a few righteous friends than many friends who would lead you down a path of corruption and deceit.
Beloved, do not let yourself be upset by what others might say about you. Let them talk. People, especially those who do not share in our faith, are so often vain, hurtful, arrogant, and hypocritical. The world will always be the world, so let the water flow beneath the bridge. All you need to be concerned with is seeking the will of God. Remember, you can’t please everyone, and it isn’t worth the effort. But you can please the Lord. He is your best friend. One moment of his pleasure will heal any wound inflected on you by mere people. Your detractors will come and go, but God is always with you. Amen!
