Real Friendship

It's been said, that in a person's lifetime, one can expect to have only 3-5 genuine friends that will be there regardless of the circumstances. Only 3-5 friends that will never turn their back on you, that will be there FOR you 24 hours a day. I've come to learn, through dealing with people on an every day basis, that this is quite true. True but sad!! I would like to bring your attention though, to the issue of whether YOU are one of those 3-5 friends to OTHERS. You see, real friendship doesn't depend on what "I" get out of a relationship with someone.....real friendship is for me to love others REGARDLESS of what "I" get out of it. As a Christian, it's to demonstrate the Christ like love He has shown me....to folks around me. (Ephesians 4:28-32) So what is it to be a "real" friend to the folks around me, as opposed to being an enemy of the people around me? The question is......Am I a friend or a foe? Allow me to very simply show you the difference.

1- A genuine friend lends you his EAR. A real friend listens. A real friend doesn't just "hear" what another is saying, but instead is sincerely interested and concerned about the person, and because of it, acknowledges what is being said. There's a big difference!! It's a result of learning to put OTHERS FIRST. Someone who is NOT a friend, couldn't care less what others have to say. While others are talking, they are rehearsing what they're going to say next. They are wrapped up in themselves.

2- A genuine friend uses his TONGUE in the right way. To edify, encourage, and build up those around them. He is one who uses his tongue to lift others up in PRAYER, asking God to bless and protect them. Someone who is NOT a friend, will instead, use their tongue to discourage, tear down, ridicule, and verbally abuse others around them. May this never be said of us Christian!!


3- A genuine friend yields his HANDS. I mean literally. I'm talking about "helping hands". When there's a job that needs done, a real friend rolls his sleeves up, jumps in, and works till the job is finished. I have many friends who are just that kind of person, Ossie and Jared Stanley, just to name a couple. May God bless them. On the other hand, someone who is NOT a real friend will instead use their tongue again to do nothing but tell you how they could have or would have done it better or differently. When in fact, they've never lifted a hand ever before, due to laziness.

4- A genuine friend offers his BACK. Romans 15:1 says...... "We then that are strong ought to bear the infirmities of the weak, and not to please ourselves." Everyday, there are folks around us who are burdened with a load of care. Burdens of finance, sickness, suffering and hurt. A real friend will help by taking all, or some of, the load. Someone who is NOT a friend will instead TURN their back on you when things get rough.5- A genuine friend LOVES from the HEART. When one loves another with all of their heart, it will express itself outwardly toward them. True love, true friendship, always backs up the verbal statement of "I love you" with ACTION. It's to SHOW others.......compassion, understanding, sympathy, patience, honesty......unconditional love!! Even when treated badly in return. Someone who is NOT a friend "tells" you how much they love you, but by their lack of actions, prove otherwise. Aren't you glad God isn't that kind of friend to sinners? Thankfully, Romans 5:8 tells us..... "But God commendeth (showed, demonstrated, expressed) His love toward us, in that, while we were yet sinners, Christ died for us." Praise the Lord.6- A genuine friend would GIVE HIS LIFE for others. I'm reminded of our fallen soldiers, martyrs of old, missionaries around the world who give their lives for the Gospel's sake. Someone who is NOT a friend wishes instead to TAKE your life. Radical Islam is a perfect example. satan is a perfect example. They hate people, they wish to steal, kill, and destroy.

Christ died for the world because PEOPLE matter!! People then, should matter to us!! The multitudes out there are hurting, suffering, lonely, searching to be loved, seeking after the Truth that will set them free. May YOU and I be the friend they're looking for. May you and I be one of the 3-5 friends they'll probably ever have in this life. May God bless you as you strive to be that person.