True Friendship

Years ago, a British publication offered a prize for the best definition of a friend. Among the thousands of answers received were the following:

·         “One who multiplies joys, divides grief, and whose honesty is invaluable.”

·         “One who understands our silence.”

·         “A volume of sympathy bound in cloth.”

·         “A watch that beats true for all time and never runs down.”

·         The winning definition read, "A friend is the one who comes in when the whole world has gone out.”

In many ways, these little blurbs of wisdom are similar to the short sentences of wisdom we find in the book of Proverbs. For example in Proverbs 22:24 we read: “Make no friends with those given to anger, and do not associate with hotheads.” I know a few people like this, and I find that I’m constantly on pins and needles when I interact with them.

A true friend would be the reverse of what Proverbs is warning us of. A friend would be someone we’re comfortable with – emotionally and physically. It is extremely difficult to build a friendship with or even just to agree with someone who is quick tempered. Whereas with a true friend agreement seems to come naturally – perhaps not on every topic or in every situation, but there is a mutual understanding and respect between friends.

Proverbs 22:25 further warns that our association with hotheads and those easily angered, could lead to where, “you may learn their ways and entangle yourself in a snare.” All of us are influenced in some way or another by the situations we place ourselves in or the situations we face in our daily lives. As we interact with other people the wisdom of Proverbs encourages us to be wary of whom we allow to influence us as we travel the journey of life because we are affected by the people we associate with.

Proverbs 18:24b wisely offers that “a true friend sticks closer than one’s nearest kin.” This is true friendship. There is a catch phrase that suggests, “Blood is thicker than water” or that family ties are stronger than the bonds of any friendship. This may or may not be the case depending on the relationship you have with your family. However, there is one relationship which the writer of Proverbs refers to which transcends even the bonds of family – the friendship we have with our Saviour Jesus Christ.

When we allow ourselves to be influenced by Jesus; when we grow in him and obey his commandments; Jesus says in John 15:14 that we are his friends. As we are influenced by this true friend and come to an understanding that Christ’s sacrifice on the cross was for us. Then our friendship with Jesus becomes one which transcends all others.

May you be encouraged in your faith, that you have a friend in Jesus who will never leave; who will walk with you on your most difficult days; and rejoice with you on your most joyous occasions. This is the true friendship we have in Jesus.

(a slightly shorter version of this post will appear in the Listowel Banner in the week of August 19, 2015)