This is a simple but crucial question everyone must answer for himself or herself in life. When you know and clarify who a friend is, you have actually solved 80% to 90% of all your relational problems. Because the greatest source of human pain or pleasure is relationship; particularly friendship.
A FRIEND is the one whose relationship with you is not dependent on their current knowledge of you, circumstances, or changes in your life. But, on the love of God and your identity in Christ. In other words, a friend loves you the way God loves you and sees you the way God sees you.
If your knowledge of people keeps you away from them, then you're not their friend. If what you hear or see about people keeps you away from them, then you're not their friend. If you only love your friends and stay close to them, when you see them progressing then you're a fake friend. A true friend who loves you beyond their current knowledge of you. A true friend is the one who believes in your future and helps you to become your best.
This is what Apostle Joshua Selma says, "Anyone you call a true friend should be someone whose commitment to you is not dependent on circumstances". Those who change towards you, simply because they realized one or two unfavourable indicators in your life are not your true friends.
This week as you take time to discover who really your friends are; make time to also know how best you could be a true friend to others. Love them genuinely, unconditionally and sacrifically. Don't let something you get to know about them, keep you away from them. If it is something you don't understand, open up to them. Hold their hands and pray together with them.
Remember, it was while we were enemies that God restored us into friendship with Himself. Today, we're no more His enemies; we've become His friends. Be a friend to others this week. I pray that God will give you the grace to be this friend to others in Jesus' Name. Amen.
Kind regards,
JOHN ARTHUR,
FRIENDSHIP | LOVE | RELATIONSHIP,
THE SCHOOL OF FRIENDSHIP.