A True Friend
Thine own friend, and thy father's friend, forsake not; neither go into thy brother's house in the day of thy calamity: for better is a neighbor that is near than a brother far off. Proverbs 27:10
It is easy for us to recognize a True Friend. They are there for you no matter what the situation may be, they are not in the relationship for their own personal gain and they stick by you no matter how horrible you may behave. But the verse above really cause me to pause and rethink friendship.
I can understand not forsaking your friends - that is what friends are for. But your father's friend? Look closely at the first part of the verse - you have a responsibility to not only your friends but your parent's friends as well. Why? I personally (not biblically) believe it is part of showing respect to our parents by honoring their friends. Especially, as the years slip by, it is comforting to know that the younger generation will befriend the elderly in times of need. We have many references that the Lord will plead the cause of widows (Psalms 146:9). Hence we should show them respect and honor.
And the second half of the verse above is even more challenging. We often misquote it by saying "better is a friend in the day of our calamity". But Solomon did not use friend, he used neighbor. A neighbor? I believe Solomon was alluding to Jesus' teachings. Let me explain. Did Jesus not say "Love thy neighbor as thyself" in Matthew 22:37-39? And look closely at Jesus guidance in John 15:12-14: "This is my commandment, That ye love one another, as I have loved you. Greater love hath no man than this, that a man lay down his life for his friends. Ye are my friends, if ye do whatsoever I command you." So if we love our neighbor as our self and we demonstrate our love for friends by giving up our life for them, our neighbors will be our friends!
What a challenge! If we demonstrate our love to our neighbor, he will be our friend... and the love we should demonstrate is the love of Christ. It all comes full circle - as the love of Christ flows out of us to others, we can not help but be their friend!
I love the promise in John 15:14, that we will be His friend, if we follow His commandments. There is no one better to cast our cares upon than our Best Friend - Jesus Christ. No one fits the definition above for a True Friend better than Jesus. He is always there for us, no matter how we have behaved. Won't you call upon Him today? Friends love to spend time together, right?
It is easy for us to recognize a True Friend. They are there for you no matter what the situation may be, they are not in the relationship for their own personal gain and they stick by you no matter how horrible you may behave. But the verse above really cause me to pause and rethink friendship.
I can understand not forsaking your friends - that is what friends are for. But your father's friend? Look closely at the first part of the verse - you have a responsibility to not only your friends but your parent's friends as well. Why? I personally (not biblically) believe it is part of showing respect to our parents by honoring their friends. Especially, as the years slip by, it is comforting to know that the younger generation will befriend the elderly in times of need. We have many references that the Lord will plead the cause of widows (Psalms 146:9). Hence we should show them respect and honor.
And the second half of the verse above is even more challenging. We often misquote it by saying "better is a friend in the day of our calamity". But Solomon did not use friend, he used neighbor. A neighbor? I believe Solomon was alluding to Jesus' teachings. Let me explain. Did Jesus not say "Love thy neighbor as thyself" in Matthew 22:37-39? And look closely at Jesus guidance in John 15:12-14: "This is my commandment, That ye love one another, as I have loved you. Greater love hath no man than this, that a man lay down his life for his friends. Ye are my friends, if ye do whatsoever I command you." So if we love our neighbor as our self and we demonstrate our love for friends by giving up our life for them, our neighbors will be our friends!
What a challenge! If we demonstrate our love to our neighbor, he will be our friend... and the love we should demonstrate is the love of Christ. It all comes full circle - as the love of Christ flows out of us to others, we can not help but be their friend!
I love the promise in John 15:14, that we will be His friend, if we follow His commandments. There is no one better to cast our cares upon than our Best Friend - Jesus Christ. No one fits the definition above for a True Friend better than Jesus. He is always there for us, no matter how we have behaved. Won't you call upon Him today? Friends love to spend time together, right?
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