The Gift of Friendship

It’s the time of year for parties, tailgating, and family get-togethers.

They can be large or small assemblies consisting of people with like interests, employment, age, or gender. Nevertheless, at most gatherings I’ve attended, small groupings emerge. In corners, around tables, standing or sitting, there are pockets of people, engaging in conversation. However, if the party is mixed company, I’ve noticed women seem to end up in one room, usually the kitchen, and men just naturally gravitate towards the living room, den, or man cave.

Why does this occur? It’s because, human relationships are important and friendship is a gift from God. He created us to need one another, and says through Solomon, “Two are better than one, because they have a good reward for their labor. For if they fall, one will lift up his companion…Though one may be overpowered by another, two can withstand him. And a threefold cord is not quickly broken.” (Ecclesiastes 4:9-12)

When we have a decision to make, it’s nice to be able to talk it out or run it by a friend. They may

think of things we didn’t or ask questions that will make us reconsider. If we’re angry, a friend can help us see the truth of the situation and change our attitude. “As iron sharpens iron, so a man sharpens the countenance of his friend.” (Proverbs 27:17)

These characteristics are true whether the group is Christian or secular. However, as believers we have an advantage.

God gives us friends and places us in groups to enhance the talents and abilities He has given. The groups and relationships, who resist envy, recognize each person as uniquely designed by God, and placed within it for edification, are the groups that will mold into a cohesive cluster and grow in love. These will bear one another's burdens, and fulfill the law of Christ. As Christ’s disciples, they will have fervent love for one another, above all things, because love covers a multitude of sins.

Nevertheless, we cannot encapsulate love or keep to ourselves. Love must reach out to someone or else it is not love. This is why our God, who is love, chose to initiate a relationship with His creation saying, "Yes, I have loved you with an everlasting love... Greater love has no one than this, than to lay down one's life for his friends. (Jeremiah 31:3; John 15:13)

So, the next time you are with your friend or your group of friends, remember you are a unique creation. You bring something to this group no one else can and because of Jesus, they bring out the best in you. With these friends, you stand fast in one spirit, with one mind, striving together for the faith of the gospel…and…[together] you put on love, which is the perfect bond of unity. (Philippians 1:27; Colossians 3:14)