The International Day of Friendship is July 30. It was designated by the United Nations General Assembly (UN) to appreciate relationships as they promote peace, happiness and unity. Friendship is a beautiful thing. It brings two or more people together to enjoy commonalities as well as differences. Friendship is something to be cherished in a world that often feels so disconnected.
So how does God define and encourage friendship? We do know that true friendship offers redemptive, grace-filled love, or redeeming love. This mirrors what God offers us. Let’s take a look at how God offers this beautiful relationship that offers true companionship.
What Does It Mean to Be a Friend?
Friendship is defined as a close, personal relationship between two people. When we think about friends, we think about someone who we can have fun with, confide in and look to for support and encouragement. Friendship is reciprocal. You can depend on each other. We start forming friends at a young age. The definition doesn’t really change. It just matures as we do.
How does the Bible define friendship? Friendship is a reflection of God’s love. Just as God loves us we are to love one another. As John 15:13 states, “No one has greater love than this, to lay down one’s life for one’s friends.” Building friendships rooted with faith will be much more rewarding than a surface-level friendship. When your friendship has a faith foundation, you don’t take the other person for granted. Both people are truly valued for who God created them to be.
How Faith Intertwines with Friendship
Many people just don’t think about faith when they think about friendships. In reality, faith can play a huge part in the deepness of your connection. When you share the same beliefs, you can live them out together and support each other. This truly encourages spiritual growth. This is shared through Proverbs 27:17, “Iron is sharpened by iron; one person sharpens another.”
True friendships, the lasting kind, embrace honesty even when it can hurt. Faith-filled friendships consist of accountability, encouragement, and prayer as pillars for strength. There is no holding back to spare feelings, but these things are shared in a caring way. It is important to choose friends who walk in alignment with God’s path. 1 Corinthians 15:33 tells us so, “Do not be led astray: ‘Bad company corrupts good morals.’” Being human means we can be weak. When we surround ourselves with people who hold the same faith values, they can help keep us accountable just as we can help them keep accountable.
Biblical Characteristics of a True Friend
The Bible teaches us how to be true friends. Here are some characteristics of true friends that can be found in the Bible:
Loyalty and Steadfastness
Proverbs 18:24, “There are friends who bring ruin, but there are true friends more loyal than a brother.” This teaches us to be loyal and bring positivity and encouragement to our friendships.
Honesty with Kindness
Proverbs 27:6 – “Trustworthy are the blows of a friend, dangerous, the kisses of an enemy.” Honesty is important to build trust. We all need people to hold us accountable, but it can be done in a loving way. Understanding the God-given value of a person, makes it much easier to support them in every way. Remember that truth shared in love can strengthen relationships when the receiver understands the intent.
Encouragement and Support
Ecclesiastes 4:9-10 – “What does “he ascended” mean except that he also descended into the lower [regions] of the earth? The one who descended is also the one who ascended far above all the heavens, that he might fill all things.”
This is an example of rising above trials and tribulations. Christian friendship will help each person rise through these difficult situations.
Prayerful and Spirit-Led
James 5:16 – “Therefore, confess your sins to one another and pray for one another, that you may be healed. The fervent prayer of a righteous person is very powerful.”
A true friend will pray for your growth, healing, and your walk with Jesus. They will want what’s best for you and help you to attain it.
Forgiveness and Grace
Colossians 3:13 – “bearing with one another and forgiving one another, if one has a grievance against another; as the Lord has forgiven you, so must you also do.”
There will be challenges in friendship; times when forgiveness will be necessary. We are human, afterall. Lasting friendship relies on grace and humility.
Friendship with God: The Ultimate Relationship
James 2:23 – “Thus the scripture was fulfilled that says, “Abraham believed God, and it was credited to him as righteousness,” and he was called “the friend of God.” Friendship with others should reflect our friendship with God. Deepen your friendship with God so it can properly serve as the foundation for all other relationships. God is loving, kind, supportive, encouraging and provides strength. As a true friend, you should do the same. You should also develop relationships with people who can reciprocate those feelings and actions. As your relationship grows, so should the understanding, forgiveness, support, encouragement, truth and love.
How to Cultivate Godly Friendships
Some people have a hard time making friends, let alone cultivating them into Godly friendships. Here are some tips to get you started or to cultivate the friendships you already have:
- Be the kind of friend you want to have. Think about what is missing in your friendships and utilize the skills or implement those attributes with new or current friends.
- Invest time, prayer, listening, and love. True friendships need investment to grow over time.
- Evaluate your circle: Do your friendships align with your values and faith? Discern the friendships you do have. It may be time for some pruning.
- Encourage your friends in their faith journeys. Be an encouragement. Help your friends grow in faith.
Remember that life is a faith journey and friendships are part of that journey. In this journey together, do allow love, value, and purpose to flow into your friendships.
Celebrate Faithful Friendships
On this special day (and every day), celebrate the divine gift of friendship. Show appreciation by telling someone how much you appreciate their friendship. Pray with them and for them. Thank God for their presence in your life. Pray.com offers ten prayers for friendships. Pray one that you find here, today.
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