True, lasting friendship

John 15: 13 "Greater love has no one than this: that he lay down his life for his friends. You are my friends”, Jesus said.
A true friend is someone with whom we enjoy mutual affection, interests and respect. The best friends are those who help when we are in trouble and who are our advocates when we need that someone gives more than expected and does not insist on receiving.

Jesus said: "Greater love has no one than this that he lay down his life for his friends. You are my friends if you do what I command.” Christ’s friendship is based on his sacrificial love on the cross and giving holy direction through the complete revelation of his will for our lives.

All important love relationships find their model and standard from the friendship Jesus offers us. Joyful marriages, healthy families and successful congregations are founded on the love that friends share with each other. This love is expressed in noble sacrificial giving and helpfulness that overcomes adversary. Such a friendship leads to open communication, complete truthfulness and faithfulness, kind and unselfish counsel without a hidden agenda, and a great union of minds, ideas, dreams and goals of which brave men and women are capable.

Jesus knew that the best kind of friendships would evolve between friends who share the gift of friendship with him, as Jesus shares a divine friendship with his Father. Nothing is more exciting than when we share the satisfaction that I and my friend both are in close communication with the Lord Jesus. Friendship is enhanced when we share mutual activities that contribute to the expansion of the kingdom of God and the revelation of his holiness and love. Without Jesus at the centre of friendship, it either will fail, or cause us to put people above our devotion to God which both lead to hurt and emotional pain.

A friend is someone who multiplies joys, divides grief, and whose honesty is sacred. It is one who understands our silences and gives lot of sympathy and empathy without giving judgment - and whose closeness provides true joy.

Your real friend is the one who comes to you, when the rest of the world leaves you.
Such a Friend Jesus is to those who love and follow him.