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In an earlier post, I mentioned that friendships are discovered along the pathway of our lives. Yet once they are discovered (and our hearts are connected, in a Jonathan & David sort of way, because we share common beliefs, passions, and, even struggles), friendships take some work to build and keep. Two have been mentioned already...
Last week, we focused on this verse, "A friend loves at all times..." Building Block #1: Commitment. It takes commitment to be that kind of constant friend who still does love when we are at our worst. It's a huge deal to find a friend who is willing to go the distance with us.
The week before, when we zeroed in on Job's three friends, we discovered Building Block #2: Cautious. Good friends are careful and cautious before they speak. They know us so well that they have learned when to hold their tongues, and when to share God-words from their heart that will be for us.
For everything there is a season...a time to keep silence and a time to speak.
Ecclesiastes 3:1, 7b
They also know when to be there, and when to leave...
Let your foot be seldom in your friend's house, lest he have his fill of you...
Proverbs 25:17
This week, Building Block #3: Curative. I picked this "c" word because here are some of its synonyms: corrective, beneficial, helpful, insightful, restorative, shot-in-the-arm, therapeutic, and what-the-doctor-ordered. Who better to speak up, when we are in a better place, to help us see things correctly than a good friend, someone we trust? We desperately need truth tellers. While the Lord made us holy at our salvation, we don't always live what we are. We have blind spots. We are often a little too myopic and narrow-minded. (I need to make this personal), I desperately need people who love me enough to speak God-words to me. Proverbs calls them friendly wounds.
Faithful are the wounds of a friend, profuse are the kisses of your enemy...
Proverbs 27:6.
In fact, if you are too frightened to speak truth to me, according to the parallel of this passage, you are no friend.
Brothers, if anyone is caught in any transgression, you who are spiritual should restore him in a spirit of gentleness. Keep watch on yourselves, lest you too be tempted. Bear one another's burdens, and so fulfill the law (referring to the "law of love") of Christ.
Galatians 6:1-2
When God-words are spoken, the following can happen:
All Scripture is God-breathed and profitable for teaching, for reproof, for correction, and for training in righteousness, that the man of God may be complete, equipped for every good work.
2 Timothy 3:16-17.
Lessons on Friendship
Biblical friends assist one another to holy living
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Good, Biblical, friends are concerned that we are equipped for Kingdom work as long as our feet are on this planet.
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