Friends

Proverbs 18:24 AMPC

The man of many friends [a friend of all the world] will prove himself a bad friend, but there is a friend who sticks closer than a brother.

Many years ago, someone asked me how many friends I had. I went on to list around 20. He shook his head and told me: "More likely it's less than five!". How right he was.

The word "friend" is much misused today. There are imitation friends on Facebook, acquaintances that we misname as friends.

Blessedly, I do have friends - a few only - who have stuck with me in good and bad times. They are stars shining brightest in my night sky.

We laugh and cry together. We're there to chat and reminisce, share advice, celebrate birthdays - always nearby and available.

But, Who is that Friend who sticks closer than a brother?

If course, it's Jesus. He is the divine example of how a friend should be.

In the Gospel accounts we see how He interacts with His disciples and followers - forgiving, challenging, correcting and guiding - always and forever loving.

He calls us friends and, through His Word, He guides, forgives, inspires and protects.

John 15:15 NKJV

No longer do I call you servants, for a servant does not know what his master is doing; but I have called you friends, for all things that I heard from My Father I have made known to you.

Unbelievably, I am called to be Jesus' friend and you can be too.

How?

John 15:14,17 NKJV

You are My friends if you do whatever I command you.

These things I command you, that you love one another.

John 15:12-13 NKJV

This is My commandment, that you love one another as I have loved you. [13] Greater love has no one than this, than to lay down one's life for his friends.

This is true friendship - the ultimate "friendship" was the act of Jesus laying down His life willingly, because of love for His friends - past, present and future.

"What a friend we have in Jesus

All our sins and griefs to bear

What a privilege to carry

Everything to God in prayer

O what peace we often forfeit

O what needless pain we bear

All because we do not carry

Everything to God in prayer"

What kind of friend am I?