LEARNING DAILY

Ecclesiastes 4:9-10, Two are better than one, because they have a good reward for their labor. For if they fall, one will lift up his companion. But woe to him who is alone when he falls, for he has no one to help him up.

Pastor Maurice Cox spoke at Community Bible Church this weekend on the value of having friends – the right kind of friend. His target statement was: We are wired for connection not isolation (from the Listener Guide). All of us need friends! He explained there are friends of different degrees. He talked about those closest to us, a biblical friendship – those who push us to be close to God.  Pastor said, “We are to love everyone, but we do not give access to us to everyone.” He called that biblical friendship. What does biblical friendship include?

“Greater love has no one than this, that someone lay down his life for his friend.” (John 15:13).  Pastor Cox said, “it will cost to be in a real biblical friendship”. Not all the people you know are going to be willing to give their time, their energy, or even their money to you. Who are those you know who are going to be willing to help you out in your moment of need? Do you know those who are willing to help you out when your need is great? Jesus gave the ultimate picture of what true biblical friendship is. All true friendship comes with sacrifice. In general, humans rather take than give; I’m writing about selfishness and thinking about themselves before others. Biblical friendship is about denying ourselves and thinking about others first.

“A friend loves at all times, and a brother is born of adversity.” (Proverbs 17:17). Are you thinking about the individual(s) who you know will stand by you when life is not going so well with you? These are not the fair-weather friends, the casual friends; a true friend shows their love when circumstances are less than favorable. This is talking about the difference between acting like a friend and those who go further in their friendship that could be considered a brother (read Proverbs 18:24). Brotherly love is shown by one’s actions as he draws alongside of the hurting friend!

“An open rebuke is better than hidden love! Wounds from a sincere friend are better than many kisses from an enemy.” (Proverbs 27:5-6). Confrontation speaks of a straightforward, direct correction of something a friend has done wrong – not done in secret! Confrontation done in love will be appreciated when all is done more than any flattery. Correction from a godly friend can be accepted and trusted because the correction is done with a heartfelt concern for the welfare of the one being corrected. Are you thinking of that friend right now?

“Whoever goes about slandering reveals secrets, but he who is trustworthy in spirit keeps a thing covered.” (Proverbs 11:13). Pastor Cox said, “You will never know if one is trustworthy until you trust them.” Think about that. I’m going to reveal my secrets to very few. I want to know that when I do reveal something, it is going to stay with the person I reveal it to! The person who breaks this confidence is a gossip and Scripture condemns a gossip.

“And Jonathon made a covenant with David because he loved him as himself.” (1 Samuel 18:3). “A covenant is an agreement between two people before God,” said Pastor Cox. Read the story of the friendship between David and Jonathon. You see will their friendship was based on sacrifice for one another, their loyalty to one another, and their closeness.

I have written several times on true friendship using the last few words of Romans 16:23, and Quartus, a brother”. Over the years, I have had those I would call Quartus. I am very thankful for them and am so pleased to call them friend, my brother. Who do you have in your life that you call your biblical friend?