What a Friend?

Proverbs 27:6; 9-10; 17

 “Wounds from a friend can be trusted, but an enemy multiplies kisses.”  Verses 9-10, “Perfume and incense bring joy to the heart, and the pleasantness of a friend springs from their heartfelt advice.  Do not forsake your friend or a friend of your family, and do not go to your relative’s house when disaster strikes you - better a neighbor nearby than a relative far away.” Verse 17, “As iron sharpens iron, so one person sharpens another.”

What an amazing God we have, for He is long-suffering, loving and kind, always extending grace to His chosen.  When I ponder about what a friend is to me, my first thought is a blessing.  One should find in a friend God’s kindness, grace and mercy, and love is shown forth to us, for a friend is a gift from the Father.

I believe that all of us have many relationships, but it would be rare to have more than two are three close friends at any time in our life.  But then maybe that is just my experience and not the norm, so perhaps it comes down to what your definition is of a friend.

I’m very simple; no one has ever accused me of being a deep thinker or a person with a brilliant mind, so take that in to account as you look at my thoughts about a true friend.

·      A person who tells me what I need to hear, never to hurt or harm but to make me 

     into all that I can be.

·      A person who prays for me, and encourages me to look to Jesus, who meets all 

    my needs.

·      One who I can call or who will call me in times of need or troubles. 

·      One who shares their heart's desire and knows I will honor their trust.

·      One who distance does not break the love bond God has put into our hearts for 

    them.

·      And one who I go to for sound counsel.

That is my short list of what a real friend is; they are not someone on Facebook who I un-friend when they take a position I do not agree with.  I wonder how anyone can be a true friend to hundreds of people and this I’ve found, you cannot?  It is possible to love many people and to care for them, but a true friend is a gift, your wife should be your number one friend.

As stated earlier a true friend is a gift from God his/her encouragement or rebuke is like iron sharpens iron, and that is one of the most significant values of a friend.   They often are closer than many in a man’s family, in that they are willing to share life and possessions and drop what they are doing to support a friend.

The word friend is so misused, much like the word love.  I’m sure many are confused, but as a follower of Christ never forget these words of Jesus, I no longer call you servants but friends, and Jesus is the source of all truth.

From the Back Porch,

Bob Rice