PROVERBS 18:24
“A man who has friends must himself be friendly, But there is a friend who sticks closer than a brother.
”Proverbs 18:24 NKJV
https://bible.com/bible/114/pro.18.24.NKJ
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Sadly, there are many people who feel cut off, lonely, and alienated from others; and sadly, being in a crowd just makes them more aware of their isolation.
We all need friends, friends who will stick by us through it all; friends that listen, care, and offer help when it’s needed in good times and the bad.
It's better to have one such friend than many superficial acquaintances.
Such friendship only come from unconditional love, the selfless love that can only come from our Father in heaven.
We love Him because He first loved us. If someone says, “I love God,” and hates his brother, he is a liar; for he who does not love his brother whom he has seen, how can he love God whom he has not seen? And this commandment we have from Him: that he who loves God must love his brother also.”
I John 4:19-21 NKJV
Love is a choice and a duty of care toward others, not for any kind of reward, indeed, quite the opposite, for true love continues through pain and disappointment. “Love suffers long and is kind; love does not envy; love does not parade itself, is not puffed up; does not behave rudely, does not seek its own, is not provoked, thinks no evil; does not rejoice in iniquity, but rejoices in the truth; bears all things, believes all things, hopes all things, endures all things.”
I Corinthians 13:4-7 NKJV
My brethren , if you are hoping you can find a true friend, make a point of being a true friend. Be the one who looks past the faults and failures, the one who forgives and continues to love regardless. After all, we have all messed up at one time of another and hurt someone, and we all need the grace of a friend.
My beloved, we are all sinners in need of a Saviour; we are all in the same boat; we all need God’s grace. Therefore, make a point of passing on His grace by being a true friend.
If you seek, you will find people who need your friendship. Ask God to reveal them to you, and then take on the challenge of being a such friend.
Jesus, regardless of one’s sin, is a true friend (MATHEW 11:9), His love for each of us is unconditional. It doesn't matter what sins you have committed; the colour of your skin; your nationality, or even sexual orientation; He wants to forgive; He is truly your friend, the One you can always rely on.
My brethren, He is our example to follow. God’s love is infectious; receive it from Jesus through relationship with Him, and then pass on to others by following the example of Christ who hates the sin but love’s the sinner; He wants no one to perish, but for all to turn to Him in repentance (2 PETER 3:9).
All glory to God forever and ever! Amen.