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Proverbs 27:17, “As iron sharpens iron, so a man sharpens the countenance of his friend.”

Romans 16:23, “…. and Quartus, a brother.”

Over the years I have come to understand and value the few real men I have called friend.  Paul, in Romans, simply said, “and Quartus, a brother.”  There have been several men I have known that I was close enough to call my friend, my brother.  Each taught me so much about life, integrity, about living life right.  I have not seen several of these men for many years, even lost contact with them.  But their friendship has been so important to my maturity and spiritual growth.  Several others have “sharpened” me in many areas.  I am so thankful to these men I call my brothers.

I used to watch my dad sharpen butcher knives.  He would run that knife blade up and down a steel rod and it would become extremely sharp.  When he cut the meat, the cut would be easy and smooth. That is exactly what the type of friendship the verses above are talking about.  A friend will not be afraid of tell you when what you are doing is not right – even when you might not want to hear it.  A friend will keep confident what is brought to him in confidence.  A friend will be with you through the good and the bad times, not judging, just there.  It is important to have friends that are as close as brothers; it is important to be a friend.

Proverbs 18:24 states, “A man who has friends must himself be friendly. But there is a friend who sticks closer than a brother.”  In Matthew 11:19, Jesus said that He was a friend of tax collectors and sinners.  Jesus is a Friend that is better than a brother because He will never let us down.  When we feel alone or discouraged, he will always be there to give strength to the weak, wisdom to those who need it, comfort for those who need that.  But Jesus, my Savior and my Lord has never given up on me; He has loved me unconditionally.  For that I will thank Him and praise Him through eternity!

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