Have you ever had a strong disagreement, argument, or blow-out with a good friend that resulted in the loss of fellowship with that person? Only through forgiveness and reconciliation can that friendship be restored. The restoration process requires both parties to truthfully examine their own motives and actions relative to the disruptive matter, to ask for forgiveness where they wronged the other party, and come to a resolution of the issues that led to separation in the first place. Oftentimes both parties have need to seek forgiveness of the other. Oh how sweet it is when a damaged relationship is repaired and you again can walk together in agreement, enjoying fellowship with one another.

Good friendships take time to develop and must be thoughtfully and lovingly maintained. Mutual self-less love and faithfulness are important ingredients. Close friends are a blessing and of great value. The Bible has much to say about this subject:

A friend loveth at all times, and a brother is born for adversity. Proverbs 17:17

A man that hath friends must shew himself friendly: and there is a friend that sticketh closer than a brother. Proverbs 18:24

Open rebuke is better than secret love. Faithful are the wounds of a friend; but the kisses of an enemy are deceitful. Ointment and perfume rejoice the heart: so doth the sweetness of a man’s friend by hearty counsel. Iron sharpeneth iron; so a man sharpeneth the countenance of his friend. Proverbs 27:5-6 & 17

Two are better than one; because they have a good reward for their labour. For if they fall, the one will lift up his fellow: but woe to him that is alone when he falleth; for he hath not another to help him up. Again, if two lie together, then they have heat: but how can one be warm alone? And if one prevail against him, two shall withstand him; and a threefold cord is not quickly broken. Ecclesiastes 4:9-12

He that covereth a transgression seeketh love; but he that repeateth a matter separateth very friends. Proverbs 17:9

Jesus demonstrated His love for us in that while we were yet sinners, He died for us. He promised that whosoever calls upon Him shall be saved and has declared His faithfulness in that He will never leave or forsake those who are His and will lose none of us, but will raise us up in the resurrection to live in His presence forever. Jesus has befriended those who have believed upon and called upon Him for salvation. He is that proverbial friend that sticks closer than a brother.

Jesus had this to say about friendship and loving relationships:

This is my commandment, That ye love one another, as I have loved you. Greater love hath no man than this, that a man lay down his life for his friends. Ye are my friends, if ye do whatsoever I command you. Henceforth I call you not servants; for the servant knoweth not what his lord doeth: but I have called you friends; for all things that I have heard of my Father I have made known unto you. Ye have not chosen me, but I have chosen you, and ordained you, that ye should go and bring forth fruit, and that your fruit should remain: that whatsoever ye shall ask of the Father in my name, he may give it you. These things I command you, that ye love one another. John 15:12-17

In the above verse, Jesus said, "Ye are my friends, if ye do whatsoever I command you" and "This is my commandment, That ye love one another, as I have loved you."

Does your love for others and obedience to God's commandments demonstrate your faithful friendship to Jesus? If not, are there some changes you might need to make?

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