Recently I was asked what is true friendship and how can you tell if it's true and not fake...
A friend loveth at all times... Prov. 17:17
Recognizing Human Needs
Perhaps one of the most important traits of a good friendship is the recognition of Human needs... When God made man, He created certain needs that He then went on to provide... Man needed food and water but beyond physical needs man needed companionship... In Genesis 2:18 God said It is not good for the man to be alone... God fulfilled this need by the creation of woman... OF course not everyone can marry as Christ showed us by setting this example... But this need not to be alone can be fulfilled through other companionships... People have other needs.... A good friend can recognize these needs and help in any possible way to fulfill these needs...
People need to be needed
This mutual need is vital in any relationship... God wants us to learn to meet each other's needs and our own through service one to another...Trust Is Essential
Trust is positive expectation.... Which is believing the best... hoping all things.... thinking no evil.... and rejoices not in iniquity....
1 Corinthians 13:1 Though I speak with the tongues of men and
of angels, and have not charity, I am become as sounding brass, or a
tinkling cymbal.
2 And though I have the gift of prophecy, and understand all mysteries,
and all knowledge; and though I have all faith, so that I could remove
mountains, and have not charity, I am nothing.
3 And though I bestow all my goods to feed the poor, and though I give
my body to be burned, and have not charity, it profiteth me nothing.
4 Charity suffereth long, and is kind; charity envieth not; charity
vaunteth not itself, is not puffed up,
5 Doth not behave itself unseemly, seeketh not her own, is not easily
provoked, thinketh no evil;
6 Rejoiceth not in iniquity, but rejoiceth in the truth;
7 Beareth all things, believeth all things, hopeth all things, endureth
all things.
8 Charity never faileth: but whether there be prophecies, they shall
fail; whether there be tongues, they shall cease; whether there be
knowledge, it shall vanish away.
9 For we know in part, and we prophesy in part.
10 But when that which is perfect is come, then that which is in part
shall be done away.
11 When I was a child, I spake as a child, I understood as a child, I
thought as a child: but when I became a man, I put away childish things.
12 For now we see through a glass, darkly; but then face to face: now I
know in part; but then shall I know even as also I am known.
13 And now abideth faith, hope, charity, these three; but the greatest
of these is charity.
Finally, brethren, whatsoever things are true, whatsoever things
are honest, whatsoever things are just, whatsoever things are pure,
whatsoever things are lovely, whatsoever things are of good report; if
there be any virtue, and if there be any praise, think on these things.
Philippians 4:8
In today's hard and cynical world these approaches seem naive,
simplistic..... Do not allow your heart to become hard, cold, and
callous as today's world....
Paul demonstrated this attitude of trust when he wrote Philemon
and asked him to receive Onesimus as a brother... In verse 21 Paul said
having confidence in thy obedience.... That is positive expectation...
That is trust....
That attitude produces growth in friendship, because it nurtures
confidence, concern and thus good will...
All Friendships Need Caring
All friendships need caring to survive... Caring is the ability to help the other grow... Caring is loving concern with no thought of gain or self gratification...
Compassion Is Essential
Compassion is the ability to feel the others hurt... To feel their pain.... And to feel their joy when others feel happy...
And whether one member suffer, all the members suffer with it; or one member be honoured, all the members rejoice with it. 1 Corinthians 12:26
Compassion is to experience the feelings of others.... To put yourself in their shoes.... This is true compassion.... True understanding... This trait is hard to find in today's world...
True compassion can be seen through the eyes... flowing through the entire body...
Commitment
Commitment is determination... An unconditional commitment to a person.... It comes willingly from within.... Not forced by duty or obligation... Love grows with commitment... And as love grows so does the friendship...
Love is an unconditional commitment to an imperfect person...
As we grow in these qualities.... TRUST.... CARING... COMPASSION.... AND COMMITMENT.... we will fulfill the Christian goal....
Matthew 25:35-36 For I was an hungred, and ye gave me meat: I
was thirsty, and ye gave me drink: I was a stranger, and ye took me in:
Naked, and ye clothed me: I was sick, and ye visited me: I was in
prison, and ye came unto me.
And the King shall answer and say unto them, Verily I say unto
you, Inasmuch as ye have done it unto one of the least of these my
brethren, ye have done it unto me.
Matthew 25:40