In honor of Friendship Day (being celebrated today), Winnie the Pooh was named the world’s ambassador. Those familiar with the famous red-shirted teddy bear know that the collection of Pooh stories highlight the friendships Winnie has with a group of good friends: Piglet, Christopher Robin, Tigger, Kanga, Roo, Rabbit, and Eeyore. The group experienced many fun and challenging adventures together. On friendship, Winnie once said: “If there ever comes a day when we can’t be together, keep me in your heart. I’ll stay there forever.”
Solomon put himself in the shoes of a man who lacked companions and wrote on the importance and value of true friendship: “Two people are better off than one” (Ecclesiastes 4:9). His reasons? Friends help you succeed (Ecclesiastes 4:9), care for you when you fall (Ecclesiastes 4:10), keep you company when you’re lonely (Ecclesiastes 4:11), and protect you when you’re in danger (Ecclesiastes 4:12).
A friend is someone who shares the joy of your triumphs and the pain of your troubles (Ecclesiastes 4:9). A friend lifts you up when you stumble on life’s rocky roads (Ecclesiastes 4:10). A friend walks with you through the dark valleys (Ecclesiastes 4:11). A friend stands with you to help you face life’s challenges (Ecclesiastes 4:12). “A friend loves at all times, and a brother is born for a time of adversity” (Proverbs 17:17 NIV).
Talking about the love that exists between good friends, Jesus once said, “There is no greater love than to lay down one’s life for one’s friends” (John 15:13). And Jesus proved this friendship for us (Romans 5:6-8).
In Jesus, we have an amazing Friend. But there’s a condition that we need to solemnly consider: He said, “You are My friends if you do what I command” (John 15:14). What kind of a friend are you to Him?
NLT 365-day reading plan passage for today: Luke 12:49-59
More:
Consider what Jesus said about His friendship with you in John 15:13-14.
Next:
Think of your friends. Who among them would qualify as your best friend and why? How are you a friend of God?
daisymarygoldr on August 8, 2011 at 12:50 am
Obedience to God is not the type that is shown by a well trained dog or a dutiful slave. It is born out of mutual love and trust. Abraham was a friend of God and was obedient to the point of sacrificing his one and only son. It costs to be a friend.
As a friend, God confided in Abraham about His intentions to destroy Sodom. Abraham cared about His Friend’s reputation as the righteous judge of all the earth and appealed to Him to spare Sodom. God shared His secret with Abraham for the very purpose of his intercession for others.
God wants friends who love Him, and obey to intercede on behalf of others because we care for His reputation and honor. Christ showed us the ultimate expression of friendship and went all the way in laying down His life for us. Likewise, we need to go all the way for Him in reciprocating His friendship.
Friends of God cannot be friends of the world. And friends are like flowers, they do not last long. However, God and His friends—will remain as our best friends forever.