Friends

If loneliness is a problem in the modern world (and it is, definitely), friendship ought to be highly valued. It is, but there's the problem of the "loyalty gap" -- the feeling that relationships -- marriage, friendship, employer-employee -- are temporary at best, to be dissolved whenever one party feels like it. This situation isn't new, as the Bible makes clear:

Many will say they are loyal friends, but who can find one who is really faithful? (Proverbs 20:6CloseProverbs 20:6 Many will say they are loyal friends,  but who can find one who is truly reliable? OPEN VERSE IN BIBLE (nlt) )

Of course, the Bible gives some classic examples of "really faithful" friends. The classic example is that Old Testament pair, David and Jonathan.

After David had finished talking with Saul, he met Jonathan, the king's son. There was an immediate bond of love between them, and they became the best of friends. And Jonathan made a special vow to be David's friend, and he sealed the pact by giving him his robe, tunic, sword, bow, and belt.

1 Samuel 18:1-4Close1 Samuel 18:1-4 After David had finished talking with Saul, he met Jonathan, the king's son. There was an immediate bond between them, for Jonathan loved David. From that day on Saul kept David with him and wouldn't let him return home. And Jonathan made a solemn pact with David, because he loved him as he loved himself. Jonathan sealed the pact by taking off his robe and giving it to David, together with his tunic, sword, bow, and belt. OPEN VERSE IN BIBLE (nlt)

The book of Proverbs is, in some ways, the "Book of Friendship," with wise words about the true meaning of genuine friendship.

A friend is always loyal, and a brother is born to help in time of need.

Proverbs 17:17CloseProverbs 17:17 A friend is always loyal,  and a brother is born to help in time of need. OPEN VERSE IN BIBLE (nlt)

There are "friends" who destroy each other, but a real friend sticks closer than a brother.

Proverbs 18:24CloseProverbs 18:24 There are "friends" who destroy each other,  but a real friend sticks closer than a brother. OPEN VERSE IN BIBLE (nlt)

A troublemaker plants seeds of strife; gossip separates the best of friends.

Proverbs 16:28CloseProverbs 16:28 A troublemaker plants seeds of strife;  gossip separates the best of friends. OPEN VERSE IN BIBLE (nlt)

Disregarding another person's faults preserves love; telling about them separates close friends.

Proverbs 17:9CloseProverbs 17:9 Love prospers when a fault is forgiven,  but dwelling on it separates close friends. OPEN VERSE IN BIBLE (nlt)

It's harder to make amends with an offended friend than to capture a fortified city. Arguments separate friends like a gate locked with iron bars.

Proverbs 18:19CloseProverbs 18:19 An offended friend is harder to win back than a fortified city.  Arguments separate friends like a gate locked with bars. OPEN VERSE IN BIBLE (nlt)

Just as damaging as a mad man shooting a lethal weapon is someone who lies to a friend and then says, "I was only joking."

Proverbs 26:18-19CloseProverbs 26:18-19 Just as damaging  as a madman shooting a deadly weapon is someone who lies to a friend  and then says, "I was only joking." OPEN VERSE IN BIBLE (nlt)

The godly give good advice to their friends; the wicked lead them astray.

Proverbs 12:26CloseProverbs 12:26 The godly give good advice to their friends;*  the wicked lead them astray. OPEN VERSE IN BIBLE (nlt)

Keep away from angry, short-tempered people, or you will learn to be like them and endanger your soul.

Proverbs 22:24-25CloseProverbs 22:24-25 Don't befriend angry people  or associate with hot-tempered people, or you will learn to be like them  and endanger your soul. OPEN VERSE IN BIBLE (nlt)

Wicked people are an abomination to the LORD, but he offers his friendship to the godly.

Proverbs 3:32CloseProverbs 3:32 Such wicked people are detestable to the LORD,  but he offers his friendship to the godly. OPEN VERSE IN BIBLE (nlt)

We know what real love is because Christ gave up his life for us. And so we also ought to give up our lives for our Christian brothers and sisters.

1 John 3:16Close1 John 3:16 We know what real love is because Jesus gave up his life for us. So we also ought to give up our lives for our brothers and sisters. OPEN VERSE IN BIBLE (nlt)

Continue to love each other with true Christian love. Don't forget to show hospitality to strangers, for some who have done this have entertained angels without realizing it! Don't forget about those in prison. Suffer with them as though you were there yourself. Share the sorrow of those being mistreated, as though you feel their pain in your own bodies.

Hebrews 13:1-3CloseHebrews 13:1-3 Keep on loving each other as brothers and sisters.* Don't forget to show hospitality to strangers, for some who have done this have entertained angels without realizing it! Remember those in prison, as if you were there yourself. Remember also those being mistreated, as if you felt their pain in your own bodies. OPEN VERSE IN BIBLE (nlt)

Dear brothers and sisters, what's the use of saying you have faith if you don't prove it by your actions? That kind of faith can't save anyone. Suppose you see a brother or sister who needs food or clothing, and you say, "Well, good-bye and God bless you; stay warm and eat well" -- but then you don't give that person any food or clothing. What good does that do?

So you see, it isn't enough just to have faith. Faith that doesn't show itself by good deeds is no faith at all -- it is dead and useless.

James 2:14-17CloseJames 2:14-17 What good is it, dear brothers and sisters, if you say you have faith but don't show it by your actions? Can that kind of faith save anyone? Suppose you see a brother or sister who has no food or clothing, and you say, "Good-bye and have a good day; stay warm and eat well"—but then you don't give that person any food or clothing. What good does that do? So you see, faith by itself isn't enough. Unless it produces good deeds, it is dead and useless. OPEN VERSE IN BIBLE (nlt)

The Book of God's Promises -- Copyright, 1999 by J. Stephen Lang. All rights reserved, used with permission.