Good Friends

As we desire to enjoy a good life, it is very important to emulate good things. Let us look at the concept of friendship and who are good friends. There are certain expectations that are required for persons to be described as good friends.

Expectations of Good Friends

Jesus Christ is the epitome of a good friend. St John 15: 13 “Greater love hath no man than this, than a man should lay down his life for his friends” As humans we are to emulate the Christ’s character and express perpetual love to our friends.

• Good friends must be trustworthy, showing loyalty and not be swayed by gifts, bribes or greed. In the bible Jonathan was very loyal to David. What David was going to achieve naturally it should be passed down to Jonathan. Jonathan cared not for the royal position and authority. He cared about the well-being of his friend and do all possible to secured David’s life.
• Good friends should be ready to empower their friends. Even in their own weakness they seek to lift up their friends when they themselves are down. Proverbs 27:17 states that “Iron sharpeneth iron; so a man sharpeneth the countenance of his friend” The four leprous men knew the state that they are in. They were all sick and weak but they strengthened each other with their words of encouragement. They look at the probability of ‘life and death’ even knowing their current position in society as the cast out and reject (2Kings 7). The seed of their words planted in their hearts and watered with their unity of agreement caused them to become victorious and bring restoration to a nation.

• Good friends will intercede in prayer for their friends. James 5:12 “Confess your faults one to another and pray one for another, that ye may be healed” It is easier to share your faults with “good friends” because you know them by character and they will pray that you will be healed. Galatians 6:2 say “Bear ye one another’s burdens and so fulfil the law of Christ” As Christ prayed for His disciples and is now praying for us, so good friends will follow the patterns of Christ to bring blessing to their friends.
• Good friends will go through the storms of life with you. In the bible David had people who were committed to his safety when king Saul was seeking to kill him. If David had allowed them to have their way they would have killed Saul for David.
• Good friends share their time and resources. Good friends seek that the physical needs of their friends are met. They will spend quality time to uplift each other and speak into each other’s life. They will offer brilliant ideas so their friends can become successful. They will also help each other fulfil their purpose on earth.

Why Many Fear Having Friends

Many persons have negative experiences with their friends in the pass that have poisoned their thoughts of the beauty of friendship.

These experiences come about at times when they choose the wrong kind of friends. Exodus 23: 2 says “Thou shalt not follow a multitude to do evil” The desires and practices of an individual indicates who they are and what they are projected to become. The choice remains with us. The Bible tells us Matthew 7: 16 “Ye shall know them by their fruits” and Matthew 7: 20 “Wherefore by their fruits ye shall know them” Often times the red flags are seeing but people choose to be in bad company and expect good moral values from those kinds of friends.

Marriage

In a marriage both partners are expected to be good friends. Where are manipulations, evil schemes and betrayal the beauty of friendship will certainly be dissolved. In a marriage it is duty of both partners to help each other to walk into their purpose.

Choosing The Right Friends

We must first know who we are and what is best for us. By understanding who we are we will be better able to set our standards. Jesus Christ wants us to be clean and live a pure life. It is written in 1 Corinthians 5: 9 “I wrote unto you in an epistle not to company with fornicators” We may wonder, does Christ wants us to reject sinners? Resoundingly, No! We should reject the sin. That being said if individuals do not want to change then the lifestyle will be opposing the lifestyle of the righteous. Can two walk together, except they be agreed? (Amos 3:3kjv)

Let us pray to God for discernment so we can escape the unfriendly friends. God is faithful to reveal to us who are true friends.

Do you think that value and expectation of good friends can dominate our society today? Remember the Bible tell us that “And because iniquity shall abound, the love of many shall wax cold” I think that the Lord will always have a remnant. These person are the few across the spans of society that He will express the hope of good friendship.

Conclusion

As Christians Jesus Christ says we are the light of the world, therefore we are expected to shine and eliminate the darkness (evil) around. The body of Christ must put in practice friendship so the world can see its beauty. Jesus said to His disciples in John 15: 15 “Henceforth I call you not servants; for the servant knoweth not what his lord doeth: but I have called you friends; for all things that I have heard of my Father I have made known unto you”. Let us as the body of Christ repent and seek the old path.

Read and reflect on the Apostles of old who had set a standard call the Apostle’s doctrine Acts 2: 42-46). There was love among them, singleness of heart, gladness and they had all things common.