In part one, we briefly looked at King David’s wrong (adulterous) relationship; and we explored how marriage and family looks like in a right (godly) relationship, (see Right and Wrong Relationships).
Other than also having a right relationship with God, (your primary relationship, which is what my entire blog is about), the last major right relationship that we need to examine, is one of friendship.
All people need human companionship. Having friends transforms our lives from mere survival to one that is nurtured by their love. God also brings us those same friends to bless us with more of His love – as He cherishes us through them.
When you pare it all down, when you ask for friendship, you are asking someone to ‘stand by you.’ If they concur, you will both enjoy exhortation, encouragement, and greater success in life:
Two people are better off than one, for they can help each other succeed. If one person falls, the other can reach out and help. But someone who falls alone is in real trouble. Likewise, two people lying close together can keep each other warm. But how can one be warm alone? A person standing alone can be attacked and defeated, but two can stand back-to-back and conquer. Three are even better, for a triple-braided cord is not easily broken. Ecc. 4:9 – 12. NLT
Iron sharpens iron, and one person sharpens another. Pr. 27:17 CSB
Friendship is a gift from God; but one seeking friendship must present themselves as a desirable space, whereupon that friend may be nurtured as well:
A man who has friends must himself be friendly… Pr. 18:24 NKJV
The benefits of having friends is manifold. For example, they will lay truth before you, no matter how difficult it may be to receive, so that you may grow:
The heartfelt counsel of a friend is as sweet as perfume and incense. Pr. 27:9 NLT
Faithful are the wounds of a friend [who corrects out of love and concern]… Pr. 27:6 AMP
Once we get these right friend relationships, how do we keep them?
A friend loves at all times, and a brother is born for a difficult time. Pr. 17:17 CSB
Moreover, loving our friends is required to have a right relationship with God:
The one who loves God must also love his brother and sister. 1 Jn. 4:21 CSB
Jehovah God loves you so much. He never leaves anything to chance. He knows how important friendships are in your life, so He left you guidelines in His word to keep you from letting your right relationship deteriorate into a wrong one:
…let us no longer judge one another. Instead, decide never to put a stumbling block or pitfall in the way of your brother or sister. Rm. 14:13 CSB
“If another believer sins, rebuke that person, then if there is repentance, forgive. Even if that person wrongs you seven times a day and each time turns again and asks for forgiveness, you must forgive.” Lk. 17:3, 4. NLT
Love prospers when a fault is forgiven, but dwelling on it separates close friends. Pr. 17:9 NLT
Remember that we are all human, and thus weak in the flesh. And it is during the manifestation of those weaknesses that we need love, forgiveness and exhortation – not judgment:
“For the despairing man there should be kindness from his friend; so that he does not forsake the fear (reverence) of the Almighty.” Job 6:14 NASB
Indeed, where better to bolster our friendships than when we can serve God together:
Love one another deeply as brothers and sisters. Take the lead in honoring one another. Do not lack diligence in zeal; be fervent in the Spirit; serve the Lord. Rm. 12:10, 11. CSB
I believe that God has granted us the opportunity for friendship(s) to learn how to give and receive love. First, we must make friends with ourselves, so that we know what love is; and then we can radiate that love outwards, to as many as we can touch in our lifetimes – under the umbrella of our Creator…
Next time, we will wrap this series up, by looking at wrong marital relationships and how to avoid them.
Goodnight and God bless.