Friends provide strength and help to each other, supporting one another through trials as Ecclesiastes 4 states… Ecclesiastes 4:9-10 Two people are better off than one, for they can help each other succeed. If one person falls, the other can reach out and help. But someone who falls alone is in real trouble.

A true friend is spoken of as perfume to another friend. Everyone should seek a Godly friend to fellowship with. Not only can that friend help you, but you can help that friend. Proverbs 27:9 Oil and perfume make the heart glad, and the sweetness of a friend comes from his earnest counsel.

Friends give honest feedback, even when it is difficult to do, because they have your best interests at heart. A good friend will give you good advice and not sugarcoat truth. When we are having a problem in life, we need Godly counsel to get through it the right way.

Many times, a friend’s problem is with forgiveness, either their inability to forgive someone else or someone else refusing to forgive them. A good friend will explain the truth, we must forgive others, even if they will not forgive us. Also, we must understand that it is not a problem for us if someone refuses to forgive us. We are not held accountable for their unforgiveness. We seek our forgiveness from God. God’s forgiveness is what matters. Colossians 3:13 bearing with one another and, if one has a complaint against another, forgiving each other; as the Lord has forgiven you, so you also must forgive.

Good friends avoid gossip and choose to provide love, covering over offenses rather than repeating them. Proverbs speak of this… Proverbs 17:9 Whoever covers an offense seeks love, but he who repeats a matter separates close friends.

Friends should live in agreement, honoring one another with a humble and selfless attitude. Choose friends wisely and do not associate with those who would negatively influence you; be friends with Godly people who give positive influence.  1 Corinthians 15:33  Do not be deceived: “Bad company ruins good morals.” Remember, even Jesus had friends, 12 of them. He had three, Peter, James, and John who were His close friends that He even took with Him to the Transfiguration with Moses and Elijah. We all need friends, but we need honest God loving friends that will help us, and we can help them. The people who do not know Jesus cannot understand the Godly love Christians share with each other. With good friends, sometimes we can agree to disagree about matters that are not contrary to the Bible.

I value my friends as gold from God! They have helped me through so many trials in my life. Seek to have Christian friends that share God’s love and care for each other. Friends are a true blessing and should always be cherished.

Romans 10:9-10 because, if you confess with your mouth that Jesus is Lord and believe in your heart that God raised him from the dead, you will be saved. For with the heart one believes and is justified, and with the mouth one confesses and is saved.

All you must do is believe God and accept Jesus as YOUR LORD AND SAVIOR.

MARANATHA, AMEN