“A true friend knows your weaknesses but shows you your strengths.” -William Arthur Ward
The definition of a true friend according to the Bible – John 15:13-15 (NIV) Greater love has no one than this: to lay down one’s life for one’s friends. You are my friends if you do what I command. 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.
Proverbs is another good source of wisdom regarding friends.
Proverbs 17:17 (ESV) A friend loves at all times, and a brother is born for adversity.
Proverbs 18:24 (ESV) A man of many companions may come to ruin, but there is a friend who sticks closer than a brother.
Proverbs 27:17 (ESV) Iron sharpens iron, and one man sharpens another.
The principle of friendship is also found in Amos 3:3 (NIV) Do two walk together unless they have agreed to do so?
A true friendship is characterised by:
- Support – Ecclesiastes 4:9 (NKJV) Two are better than one, because they have a good reward for their labor.
- Faithfulness – Galatians 6:2 (NIV) Carry each other’s burdens, and in this way you will fulfill the law of Christ.
- Love – Colossians 3:12-14 (NLT) Since God chose you to be the holy people he loves, you must clothe yourselves with tenderhearted mercy, kindness, humility, gentleness, and patience. Make allowance for each other’s faults, and forgive anyone who offends you. Remember, the Lord forgave you, so you must forgive others. Above all, clothe yourselves with love, which binds us all together in perfect harmony.
John 15:12-15 (NLT) This is my commandment: Love each other in the same way I have loved you. There is no greater love than to lay down one’s life for one’s friends. You are my friends if you do what I command. I no longer call you slaves, because a master doesn’t confide in his slaves. Now you are my friends, since I have told you everything the Father told me.
- Mutual appreciation – Philippians 2:3 (AMP) Do nothing from selfishness or empty conceit [through factional motives, or strife], but with [an attitude of] humility [being neither arrogant nor self-righteous], regard others as more important than yourselves.
- Kindness – Job 6:14 (NLT) One should be kind to a fainting friend, but you accuse me without any fear of the Almighty. (NIV) Anyone who withholds kindness from a friend forsakes the fear of the Almighty.
I conclude with: “I would rather walk with a friend in the dark, than alone in the light.” -Helen Keller