To Have A Friend, Be A Friend!
Categories: Church of Christ Bulletin Articles, uncategorizedAll of us hopefully have at least one or more close friends. A small boy once defined a friend as “someone who knows all about you and likes you just the same.” American poet, Ralph Waldo Emerson, once wrote: “A friend may well be reckoned the masterpiece of nature.” Author Henry Durbanville made this observation about friendship: “A friend is the first person to come in when the whole world goes out.”
Solomon wrote in Proverbs 17:17, “A friend loves at all times.” Folks, we just can’t improve on that definition. To have someone who remains true to us under all circumstances is one of life’s choicest blessings. The support and encouragement that only an intimate friend can offer, is sorely needed when the burdens of life weigh heavily upon us. Of course, our ultimate friend is Jesus — for He laid down His life for us — His friends (John 15:13-14; cf. John 10:11; Romans 5:6-8; 1 John 3:16).
Proverbs 18:24, makes an important point and takes us beyond a description of what it means to be a friend. It states that “a man who has friends must himself be friendly.” The implication is clear — friendliness must begin with us! We must take the initiative in developing relationships with others. Let us be to others what we desire for ourselves (cf. Matthew 7:12; Matthew 22:39). When it comes to friends — to have one, we must first be one!
I went outside to find a friend
But could not find one there;
I went outside to be a friend,
And friends were everywhere! —Euripides.