True Friendship - Examples of Real Friendship
January 1, 2010
True friendship stories are found throughout the Bible. In Genesis 18:17-33, we read about God sharing
His intentions with Abraham. Abraham responds by telling God his thoughts and feelings about the
situation. God and Abraham are able to do this because they trust and respect each other.
First Samuel 20 focuses on the friendship of David and Jonathan. These two men truly cared for each
other and had great trust and confidence in one another. David was running for his life from Jonathan's
father, Saul. Jonathan recognized that David was innocent. Because of the true friendship they shared,
David survived Saul's assassination attempts and went on to become one of Israel's greatest kings.
Real and true friendship involves freedom of choice, accountability, truth, and forgiveness. Peter and
Jesus give us this example: Peter, afraid for his life after Jesus is led away from the Garden of
Gethsemane, denies knowing Jesus (John 18). As He is led away by His accusers, Jesus casts a look
toward Peter that says, "I knew you would deny Me, and I forgive you" (John 21).
Real friendship looks at the heart, not just the "packaging." Genuine friendship loves for love's sake, not
just for what it can get in return. True friendship is both challenging and exciting. It risks, it overlooks
faults, and it loves unconditionally, but it also involves being truthful, even though it may hurt. Genuine
friendship, also called "agape" love, comes from the Lord. The Lord Jesus calls us His friends and He laid
down His life for us (John 15).
Relationships in real life involve different levels of friendships, and that's okay. But humans are designed
by God for lasting relationships. Often our isolationist society offers only vague, empty relationships. God
wants us to have friends here on earth. Most of all, He wants us to be friends with Him!
His intentions with Abraham. Abraham responds by telling God his thoughts and feelings about the
situation. God and Abraham are able to do this because they trust and respect each other.
First Samuel 20 focuses on the friendship of David and Jonathan. These two men truly cared for each
other and had great trust and confidence in one another. David was running for his life from Jonathan's
father, Saul. Jonathan recognized that David was innocent. Because of the true friendship they shared,
David survived Saul's assassination attempts and went on to become one of Israel's greatest kings.
Real and true friendship involves freedom of choice, accountability, truth, and forgiveness. Peter and
Jesus give us this example: Peter, afraid for his life after Jesus is led away from the Garden of
Gethsemane, denies knowing Jesus (John 18). As He is led away by His accusers, Jesus casts a look
toward Peter that says, "I knew you would deny Me, and I forgive you" (John 21).
Real friendship looks at the heart, not just the "packaging." Genuine friendship loves for love's sake, not
just for what it can get in return. True friendship is both challenging and exciting. It risks, it overlooks
faults, and it loves unconditionally, but it also involves being truthful, even though it may hurt. Genuine
friendship, also called "agape" love, comes from the Lord. The Lord Jesus calls us His friends and He laid
down His life for us (John 15).
Relationships in real life involve different levels of friendships, and that's okay. But humans are designed
by God for lasting relationships. Often our isolationist society offers only vague, empty relationships. God
wants us to have friends here on earth. Most of all, He wants us to be friends with Him!
Posted by Sanjana Nuwan. Posted In : True friends
