For my friend,
By the time you read this letter, I’m sure you’ll be hinted that I’m one of the contributors in this website. We had a meaningful conversation at the back of my storage house where my pet dog was our only earthly witness we had. You vent out that you didn't like close affection with pets because of the pain from separation. Also, you had heartfelt dealings with your long-time friends because they had forsaken you in times of need. I know you don't like long articles but I advise you to read it all this time.
I’ve told you that most of the articles here are practical application of the Scriptures in today's life because I believe that we’re entering into perilous times (2 Timothy 3:1). Even so, simple friendship can be deceiving. There are lots of opportunities of having many friends in Facebook. However, there are also chances of “unfriending” or “blocking” us for no apparent reason even from those who belong to a church affiliation or those who proclaim that Jesus Christ is coming soon. As for me, this is somewhat contradictory to the principles of Christianity. I don’t want to be judgmental but the Bible has so much to tell us about friendship. For instance, we are warned of evil appearances in friendship with the world. “You adulterous people don’t you know that friendship with the world means enmity against God? Therefore, anyone who chooses to be a friend of the world becomes an enemy of God” (James 4:4). This is also similar to “reject every kind of evil” (1 Thessalonians 5:22). You notice that I would always stop my work just to listen to you when you pay short visits. But to anything that will compromise my faith in God, I’ll alienate myself. You're aware of it, don't you?
You’re correct in defining friendship and I agree with you. Proverb 18:24 says, “A man who has friends must himself be friendly.” I read a commentary that describes it well. “Love begets love; and love requires love as its recompense as between David and Jonathan. If a man does not maintain a friendly carriage, he cannot expect to retain his friends. Friendship is a good plant; but it requires cultivation to make it grow. There is a kind of factitious friendship in the world, that, to show one’s self friendly in it, is very expensive, and in every way utterly unprofitable: it is maintained by expensive parties, feasts, etc., where the table groans with dainties, and where the conversation is either jejune and insipid, or calumnious; backbiting, talebearing, and scandal, being the general topics of the different squads in company.” Isn’t this description similar to your view of the factitious friendship? Friendship ought to be mutual and reciprocal, you said. A man that receives friendship ought to return it. Here are some proverbs about friendship to help out:
“My son, don't make yourself responsible for the debts of others. Don't make such deals with friends or strangers. If you do, your words will trap you. You will be under the power of other people, so you must go and free yourself. Beg them to free you from that debt” (Proverbs 6:1-3).
“Stupid people say bad things about their neighbors. Wise people know to be quiet” (Proverb 11:12).
“A friend loves you all the time, but a brother was born to help in times of trouble” (Proverb 17:17).
“Only a fool would promise to pay for someone else's debts” (Proverb 17:18).
“Love a pure heart and kind words, and the king will be your friend” (Proverb 22:11).
“You can trust what your friend says, even when it hurts. But your enemies want to hurt you, even when they act nice” (Proverb 27:6).
“Perfume and incense make you feel good, and so does good advice from a friend” (Proverb 27:9).
“Don't forget your own friends or your father's friends. If you have a problem, go to your neighbor for help. It is better to ask a neighbor who is near than a brother who is far away” (Proverb 27:10).
“Don't wake up your neighbors early in the morning with a shout of "Good morning!" They will treat it like a curse, not a blessing” (Proverb 27:14).
“As one piece of iron sharpens another, so friends keep each other sharp” (Proverb 27:17).
If the ship of your life,
Is tossing on the sea of strife;
You need someone.
And if you feel so all alone,
And your house is not a home;
You need someone.
If it seems life isn't fair,
And there's no one left to share;
All those lonely days and nights,
And things just won't turn out right;
And you need someone to care,
And someone to just be there;
You need someone.
I give you Jesus,
He's the peace that passes all understanding;
I give you Jesus,
He's the perfect love that casteth out all fear;
I give you Jesus,
He's the water that you drink and never thirst again;
I give you Jesus, my friend,
I give you Jesus,
If the pressures all around,
Keep your spirits to the ground;
You need someone.
And If your body is in pain,
And your health you can't regain;
You need someone.
And If at times when you have tried,
With all the strength you had inside;
And it seems that you have failed,
Remember on the cross He nailed
All the bitterness and grief,
To give you peace and sweet relief
He is that someone that you need.
So I give you Jesus,
He's the peace that passes all understanding;
I give you Jesus,
He's the perfect love that casteth out all fear;
I give you Jesus,
He's the water that you drink and never thirst again;
Oh I give you Jesus, my friend,
I give you Jesus,
He's everything, everything you'll ever need
Oh I give you Jesus, my friend,
I give you Jesus.
- “Therefore go and teach all nations, baptizing them in the name of the Father and of the Son and of the Holy Spirit, teaching them to observe all things, whatever I commanded you. And, behold, I am with you all the days until the end of the world” (Matthew 28:19-20).
- “He who believes and is baptized will be saved, but he who does not believe will be condemned” (Mark 16:16).
- “And He said to them, So it is written, and so it behoved Christ to suffer and to rise from the dead the third day, and that repentance and remission of sins should be proclaimed in His name among all nations, beginning at Jerusalem. And you are witnesses of these things. And behold, I send the promise of My father on you. But you sit in the city of Jerusalem until you are clothed with power from on high” (Luke 24:46-49).
- Faith in Jesus Christ (sufficiency of His death on the cross, burial, and resurrection for the salvation of mankind)
- Repentance (turnaround from sin)
- Baptism in the name of Jesus Christ (immersion in water for the remission of sins)
- Receiving the gift of the Holy Spirit, which is the promise of His Father (the initial Biblical evidence of infilling of Holy Spirit is speaking with other tongues, as the Spirit gave them utterance, Acts 2:4).
To be a friend of Jesus, I face whatever it takes and do whatever He commands me. His commandments are simple and doable in exchange of His joy to remain in us and our joy full. Please don’t squander one bit of this marvelous life God is giving us. God reminds us, “I heard your call in the nick of time. The day you needed me, I was there to help.” Well, now is the right time to listen, the day to be helped. Don’t put it off; don’t frustrate God’s work by showing up late and throwing a question mark over everything. Jesus wants to be your faithful friend. Isn’t it joyous to hear a Friend promise us these words: