Jesus commissions us to love others as ourselves. We might wonder how this informs our relationships as family members and friends.
It is how we relate as friends that this article addresses.
A Christian can show their faith in many ways in how they relate and interact with their friends. There are many ways to show friendship and Christians should always strive to be the best friends they can be.
How can a Christian show their friendship?
There are several specific things a Christian can do to live their faith in their relationships with friends:
- Always be honest and truthful
- Listen actively
- Encourage your friends
- Be present for your friends
- Be of service to your friends
- Pray for your friends
Always be honest and truthful
In dealings with your friends, always be trustworthy. Be truthful and never betray a friendship. It might seems that little untruths are not harmful but they contribute to distrust, which is an enemy of friendship. It is so much easier to face someone after you have been honest with them than otherwise.
Listen actively
Sometimes a friend just needs to vent, to say out loud the things that trouble them. A good friend will listen washout judgment. A good friend will listen without offering solutions that are not asked for. Your friend might not be seeking your solution. She might just need your ear.
Listen attentively and without distraction. Your friend has trusted you with her most inner thoughts. That demands respect for your friend and for her needs.
Encourage your friends
Perhaps your friend has gotten a new job, or a promotion or perhaps a new personal challenge of some kind. Be a cheerleader for your friend. Tell him you know he will be successful in this endeavor. It is gratifying to know that in a challenging situation, a friend or two have given encouragement and believe in their friend’s success. This encouragement can give a friend just the push he needs to do his best job no matter what the task.
Be present for your friends
Sometimes your friends just needs to know you are there. Make a phone call. Send a note. Let your friend know that you are there for them in every circumstance, good or bad. Let your friend know that she can count on you, that you will drop everything and come to be of whatever help is needed. Make sure your friend knows that you are willing to be there whenever you are needed.
Be of service to your friends
We all need help from time to time. There are many ways a friend can show their friendship by helping:
- Offer to make a grocery or drugstore run
- Offer to help with childcare
- Offer to help with chores and household and yard tasks
- Offer to drive your friend
- Offer to help with meals
The list goes on. There are many ways in which a friend can be helpful in times of need.
Pray for your friends
Perhaps there is no better way to show friendship than to pray for your friend. He might need any number of things but sincere prayer can be of great benefit. There is power in prayer and there is always positive energy when prayer is honest and sincere. Pray for their needs and for the strength of their faith as well.
We see that there are a number of things a friend can do to show both their faith and their friendship. Do these things and your friends will benefit in many ways.
Jesus encouraged us to love one another. Be the friend Jesus would have you be.
Please comment. Whether your comment is positive or negative, I welcome all comments.
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