The Bible says that the greatest love is the one who gives his life for his friends (John 15:13). Jesus calls us friends and loves us, even with all our faults. Jesus is the perfect example of the friendship revealed in the Bible, because he gave His life to reconcile with God all those who believe in His sacrifice. He died in our place, because he is a true friend.
Because of Jesus' sacrifice, we can be friends of God. Sin no longer separates who is saved, from friendship with God. This means that we can have a relationship of intimacy, unity and true love with our Creator.
Friendship with God affects our friendships with others. The believer who knows the true friendship of the Bible will try to be a true friend because: "In this we have known love, in which he laid down his life for us; We also have to put our lives for our brothers. 17 But whoever has this world's goods and sees his brother in need and closes his heart against him, how does the love of God dwell in him? 18 My little children, let us not love in word or in tongue, but in deed and in truth. "(1 John 3: 16-18)
Therefore, true friendship is based on the love of Christ and Jesus is our great example of the most valuable friendship of all.
You have to choose friends who love the Lord and who have a pure heart. The Bible says: "Flee from the evil passions of youth, and strive to follow righteousness, faith, love and peace, together with those who call on the Lord with a clean heart" (2 Timothy 2:22).
Friends are people who have things in common, such as studying the Bible, and who enjoy each other's company. We can have many acquaintances with whom we get along, but a true friend is a person more united than a brother (Proverbs 18:24).
A true friend gives us biblical advice and discourages us from going against the word of God. They encourage us to "trust in the Lord with all your heart, and not in your own intelligence. 6 Acknowledge him in all your ways, and he will make your paths smooth. "(Proverbs 3: 5-6)
A Christian friend must respect our decisions, even if they do not agree with them; knowing that whatever decisions we make, we are the ones who will ultimately be responsible for them: "Because it is necessary that all (believers) appear before the judgment seat of Christ, so that each one receives according to what he has done while he was in the body, whether good or bad "(2 Corinthians 5:10). Jesus is not only our best Friend, but also our only Judge.
*A friendship relationship demands loyalty and fidelity, and therefore God disapproves of any kind of betrayal. Gossip can destroy friendships and the Bible says in Proverbs 16:28: "The wicked provoke strife, and the gossiper divides good friends."
It is worth having trusted friends as the Bible says: "Perfume and incense gladden the heart; the sweetness of friendship strengthens the spirit. "(Proverbs 27: 9)*
