Do you’ve a friend? Maybe you’ve numerous friends. Some you possibly can call acquaintances, but lots of us are blessed with friends who’re “closer than a brother” (Proverbs 18:24). These are the individuals with whom we will share our most cherished dreams, in addition to our deepest disappointments. These are the people we love and trust, and we might do absolutely anything for them.
Proverbs 17:17 says, “A friend loves in any respect times. And a brother is born for adversity.” What does this verse mean?
Who Wrote This Proverb and to Whom?
The book of Proverbs is, in essence, a group of sensible sayings throughout thirty-one chapters. King Solomon almost exclusively penned the book, but chapters thirty and thirty-one were written by Agur, and King Lemuel, respectively (see Proverbs 1:1, 30:1, and 31:1). Proverbs are short and concise, and so they illustrate enduring truth and insight.
In Proverbs 1:4, we’re introduced to its purpose and general audience, “to present prudence to the straightforward, knowledge and discretion to the youth.” Proverbs 1:8 shows us the particular audience as Solomon states, “Hear, my son, your father’s instruction, and forsake not your mother’s teaching.”
What Does This Proverb Mean?
What we gather from Solomon’s words throughout Proverbs is that consequences are conditional on the coed’s (son’s) decision to abide by the instruction. There are commands and in addition “words to the sensible” throughout the Proverbs. Proverbs 2:1-5 tells us that if the hearer receives the teacher’s words and attends to wisdom and understanding, then he’ll “understand the fear of the Lord and find the knowledge of God.” This condition aids our understanding of the verse which says a friend loves in any respect times and a brother is born for adversity.
We are shown the difference here between a friend and a brother. A loving friend is an unceasing source of that love. A sibling may or will not be as close, yet shows up in times of trouble. Therefore, friends are constant and a brother, while present in a time of calamity, isn’t at all times available.
What Is a Friend, and in What Way Does a Friend Love?
Let’s define the word friend. First we want to do not forget that being a friend is a selection, while being a brother isn’t. Being born right into a family doesn’t necessarily make siblings friends (as so lots of us can attest).
According to Logos’ William J. Ireland, Jr., “friendship could also be easy association (Genesis 38:12; 2 Samuel 15:37) or loving companionship, essentially the most recognizable example being that between David and Saul’s son, Jonathan (1 Samuel 18:1, 3; 20:17; 2 Samuel 1:26).”
The Bible uses the word love in 4 essential ways:
Agape is an unconditional, everlasting, and sacrificial love. When Scripture tells us of God’s love for us (John 3:16, 1 John 3:1, e.g.), it’s agape (perfect) love. So too is a husband’s love for his wife (and a wife’s for her husband).
Storge is described as familial love.
Eros is romantic love between a husband and his wife (and a wife and her husband).
Phileo is a love between close friends.
People generally are likely to involve their friends in all features of their lives. In this sense, a friend is ready for what may occur in one other friend’s life. This isn’t at all times so with families. When we “leave the nest,” so to talk, it’s usual to turn out to be independent of our parents and siblings. We cling to friends who’ve common interests, cheering for one another in successes and coming alongside when failures occur.
A real Christian friend loves by:
– Praying
– Being available 24/7
– Listening (Families, who “knew us when,” lean toward solving our problems before we finish speaking)
– Being open and vulnerable and allowing the identical
– Understanding when solitary time is required by their friend
– Staying in touch
– Doing all he or she will to assist/support their friend as they grow within the grace and knowledge of Christ
– Celebrating our successes
– Grieving our losses
– Gently correcting us
– Accepting correction
The list is long, and more will be added, but that is a great place to begin. Jesus added weight to our understanding of what a real friend is when He said, “Greater love has nobody than this, that somebody lay down his life for his friends” (John 15:13). Isn’t that the final word love, and isn’t that what Jesus did for us? (see John 3:16)
Solomon continues his discourse on good character versus evil and silly people. The maxims could appear random, but after they are measured together, there exists a theme. The overarching purpose of this book is teaching an individual (a youth, a son) what living in wisdom looks like. Solomon asked the Lord for wisdom (1 Kings 3:5-15), and the book of Proverbs is a results of what the Lord gave him.
What About When Our Friends Annoy Us?
Annoyance is inevitable in any relationship, even essentially the most loving. We are selfish by nature and despite the fact that as Christians we’re latest creations in Christ (2 Corinthians 5:17), sanctification is an ongoing process. We won’t be the perfect, most loving friend until glory, because we’re still sinners. And sinners can and do annoy others, because, well, we wish what we wish.
Realizing all of this, nonetheless, we’re to be conformed to Christ. Whether we’re annoying or are annoyed by others, we must react with Christlike patience, gentleness, and all the opposite fruit of the Spirit as outlined in Galatians 5:22-23. The best approach to love your friend is to like the Lord first, after which your friend(s) (Luke 10:27).
How Can a Friend Lovingly Correct When We Need That?
Sometimes we discover our friend has erred ultimately. It might be a theological error or it might be an motion done by a friend that either has or might affect themselves and/or others. If one other person shares an issue about/together with your friend, the perfect plan of action is to at all times ask your friend for his or her side of the account. Remember to go to them with an open and soft heart, yet having prayed for discernment. Listen and – if the situation warrants a correction based in your friend’s confession of wrongdoing – answer with grace and love. Always seek their best.
If a friend involves you and admits a sin, the very first thing to do is pray silently for the Lord’s help. Tell your friend you like them and wish to support and help them through this time. Ask them in the event that they have first confessed to the Lord and repented of their actions. If they haven’t, you possibly can pray with them. They might have your help with prayer especially if it’s the primary time this has happened to them. Then remind them of 1 John 1:9, that if we confess our sins, God is faithful and just. He will forgive us and cleanse us from all unrighteousness.
In no way must you place yourself in a lofty position since the Bible tells us to be humble and to think about others as more significant than ourselves (Philippians 2:3).
Of course, we’d expect the identical from a friend if we’re within the unsuitable.
Friendship with Unbelievers
Believing friends are a treasure. But what about friendship with unbelievers? By all means, enjoy friendships with individuals who have no idea the Lord, but watch out not to evolve to their world (Romans 12:2). As you need to daily, placed on your full spiritual armor (Ephesians 6:13-18) before heading out to socialize with an unsaved friend. Interacting with individuals who don’t love the Lord gives us the chance as God’s ambassadors to share the Gospel with them (2 Corinthians 5:20). Make the perfect use of your time with believing and unbelieving friends, for the times are evil (Ephesians 5:16).
A Prayer for a Believing Friend
Lord Jesus,
I thank You for my friend, _________. She is such an example to me as she loves You above all else and reflects Christ by how she loves me. I pray, Father, for Your will in her life, that she would at all times seek Your face and abide in our Lord Jesus. Help me to be the sort of friend You have created me to be, at all times praying for her and modeling a sacrificial life. All this I pray for Your glory and for our good,
Amen.
A Prayer for an Unbelieving Friend
Father God,
You have placed this friend in my life for a reason. I do know, Father, that I’m to be a transparent and godly reflection of my Lord, Jesus Christ. Help me to try this well, so when my friend sees me, she would need to know why I really like as I do. If it’s Your will, Lord, please use me to bring her to Your saving grace. This isn’t my doing, but it surely’s all by You and for You. It’s my joy to be Your child. I pray the identical for my friend. I thank You and pray in Jesus’ name,
Amen.
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