A True Friend by Ellen C.
1 Thessalonians 5:11-15 (NKJV) says, “Therefore comfort each other and edify one another, just as you also are doing. and we urge you, brethren, to recognize those who labor among you, and are over you in the Lord and admonish you, and to esteem them very highly in love for their work’s sake. Be at peace among yourselves. Now we exhort you, brethren, warn those who are unruly, comfort the fainthearted, uphold the weak, be patient with all. See that no one renders evil for evil to anyone, but always pursue what is good both for yourselves and for all.”
How often do we REALLY take heed to these exhortations?
Are you REALLY a friend?
• Does your soul feel intertwined with your friends’ soul?
• Do you comfort your friends?
• More importantly, do you edify your friends?
• Do you uphold the weak?
• Do you pursue what is good for you and for all?
Aren’t these the attributes of a true friend?
Whether you’re a believer or not…everyone cherishes and needs close friendships. Another example of the love Jesus gave us for our friends is found in 1 Samuel 18:1-3, “Now when he had finished speaking to Saul, the soul of Jonathan was knit to the soul of David, and Jonathan loved him as his own soul. Saul took him that day, and would not let him go home to his father’s house anymore. Then Jonathan and David made a covenant, because he loved him as his own soul.”
Some say love is a ‘feeling’, but isn’t this so much more? God created us to ‘feel’ things and we know our emotions are very powerful because we have ALL experience them. Here is an excerpt from a psychological paper that reiterates the physical effects of emotions; "Emotions" have been identified by William James with certain activities of the autonomic system. James claimed, that "we feel sorry because we cry, angry because we strike, afraid because we tremble, and not that we cry, strike or tremble because we are sorry, angry or fearful..." (James 1890). Aren’t these the emotions that surface with relationships? Doesn’t this describe the closeness one feels to a friend? Souls intertwined?
How can you be a friend who encourages others?
• Be a good listener and offer advice in love.
• Pray with your friends.
• Most of all, love like Jesus loves!
In Proverbs 27:9 it says, “The sweet smell of perfume and oils is pleasant, and so is good advice from a friend.” Do you look out for your friends and offer advice that will encourage them? Do you remind them of the love Jesus has for them? Jesus taught His disciples how to love in John 15: 12 & 13, “My command is this: Love each other as I have loved you. Greater love has no one than this, that he lay down his life for his friends.”
In closing, I want to caution you about finding friendships solely based on emotion…they don’t last. Look for friends that are REAL and do not love you based on YOU. If God loved us the way we CHOOSE to love at times…wouldn’t we all be in trouble? How often do we fail Him? Worldly love just does not compare to how our Lord loves!
“So watch your step, friends. Make sure there's no evil unbelief lying around that will trip you up and throw you off course, diverting you from the living God. For as long as it's still God's Today, keep each other on your toes so sin doesn't slow down your reflexes. If we can only keep our grip on the sure thing we started out with, we're in this with Christ for the long haul.” Hebrews 3:12-14 (The Message).
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How often do we REALLY take heed to these exhortations?
Are you REALLY a friend?
• Does your soul feel intertwined with your friends’ soul?
• Do you comfort your friends?
• More importantly, do you edify your friends?
• Do you uphold the weak?
• Do you pursue what is good for you and for all?
Aren’t these the attributes of a true friend?
Whether you’re a believer or not…everyone cherishes and needs close friendships. Another example of the love Jesus gave us for our friends is found in 1 Samuel 18:1-3, “Now when he had finished speaking to Saul, the soul of Jonathan was knit to the soul of David, and Jonathan loved him as his own soul. Saul took him that day, and would not let him go home to his father’s house anymore. Then Jonathan and David made a covenant, because he loved him as his own soul.”
Some say love is a ‘feeling’, but isn’t this so much more? God created us to ‘feel’ things and we know our emotions are very powerful because we have ALL experience them. Here is an excerpt from a psychological paper that reiterates the physical effects of emotions; "Emotions" have been identified by William James with certain activities of the autonomic system. James claimed, that "we feel sorry because we cry, angry because we strike, afraid because we tremble, and not that we cry, strike or tremble because we are sorry, angry or fearful..." (James 1890). Aren’t these the emotions that surface with relationships? Doesn’t this describe the closeness one feels to a friend? Souls intertwined?
How can you be a friend who encourages others?
• Be a good listener and offer advice in love.
• Pray with your friends.
• Most of all, love like Jesus loves!
In Proverbs 27:9 it says, “The sweet smell of perfume and oils is pleasant, and so is good advice from a friend.” Do you look out for your friends and offer advice that will encourage them? Do you remind them of the love Jesus has for them? Jesus taught His disciples how to love in John 15: 12 & 13, “My command is this: Love each other as I have loved you. Greater love has no one than this, that he lay down his life for his friends.”
In closing, I want to caution you about finding friendships solely based on emotion…they don’t last. Look for friends that are REAL and do not love you based on YOU. If God loved us the way we CHOOSE to love at times…wouldn’t we all be in trouble? How often do we fail Him? Worldly love just does not compare to how our Lord loves!
“So watch your step, friends. Make sure there's no evil unbelief lying around that will trip you up and throw you off course, diverting you from the living God. For as long as it's still God's Today, keep each other on your toes so sin doesn't slow down your reflexes. If we can only keep our grip on the sure thing we started out with, we're in this with Christ for the long haul.” Hebrews 3:12-14 (The Message).
More Articles Home Page
