We Crave Friendship

A children’s song asks, “What does it mean to be friend?” How do you answer that? Possibilities? A friend is a person:

• who knows me, likes me, and trusts me.
• who I know, like, and trust.
• that I am fond of, and like to spend time with.
• that I like to talk to.
• that is on my side, but will share honestly with me.
• who is helpful and reliable.

The Bible often uses it as a term of endearment or fond greeting, like “Hello my friend!” Or “Good to see you, my friend!”

But the best Bible example of friendship is the one between God and His children (that’s you and me!): “As the Father has loved me, so have I loved you. Now remain in my love. If you keep my commands, you will remain in my love, just as I have kept my Father’s commands and remain in his love.” John 15:9-10

“Dear friends, let us love one another, for love comes from God. Everyone who loves has been born of God and knows God. Whoever does not love does not know God, because God is love.  This is how God showed his love among us: He sent his one and only Son into the world that we might live through him. This is love: not that we loved God, but that he loved us and sent his Son as an atoning sacrifice for our sins. Dear friends, since God so loved us, we also ought to love one another. No one has ever seen God; but if we love one another, God lives in us and his love is made complete in us.' 1 John 4:7-12"

Type your new text here.

And finally: 
God gives us a commission to go to those around us in friendship: “You did not choose me, but I chose you and appointed you so that you might go and bear fruit—fruit that will last…” John 15:16

4832 Ponderings:
What does acceptance mean in your relationship to others? To God?

• What does it mean to trust others? God?
• What does it mean to be honest and transparent to your friends? To God?
• What is the meaning of companionship among friends? With God?
• What are other words that describe commitment?
• God’s commitment to us is in His unconditional love for us. What words come to mind to describe that?

Closing Prayer:
Lord, we come to You with a grateful heart for the relationship we have through Christ. Help me to be more affirming and less critical of others. Help me to bear fruit by reaching out to people. Help me to be the friend you want me to be. Jesus says of us “I no longer call you servants, because a servant does not know his master’s business. Instead, I have called you friends, for everything that I learned from my Father I have made known to you. You did not choose me, but I chose you and appointed you so that you might go and bear fruit—fruit that will last… (John 15:15,16).” Thank You, for the cross, my Friend. Amen.

Applying Friendship:

• God, help me to be a better friend to this person…  
• God, guide me in my interactions in this specific friendship situation...
• God please forgive me when I mess up with these friends…
• God please help me to “shine Your light” into these current and new friendships…