Friendships

Friendship is one of the greatest gifts we can have in this life and the Bible is filled with examples and instruction on this subject. The book of Proverbs specifically talks about friendship – here are just a couple verses from the book of Proverbs - Proverbs 17:17(NLT) A friend is always loyal, and a brother is born to help in time of need. 

Proverbs 27:6(NLT) Wounds from a sincere friend are better than many kisses from an enemy. 

As a people person, I’ve always enjoyed good friends around me. I’ve learned to really value those who help me draw close to God and encourage me to think His direction. It’s true – you become who you associate with! We should be wise in our choice of companions, however, God also uses us to influence others. 

Years ago, there was a great movie which was a true story about two professional football players for the Chicago Bears – called “Brian’s Song.” One of the guys, Gale Sayers, was a famous all-star running back and the other was Brian Piccolo, who was good, but not as good as Gale. 

The two were roommates and competed for the lead spot on the team. They were also the first black and white roommates for the Chicago Bears. At one point, near the end of their final season together, Brian Piccolo, played by James Caan, comes down with a very serious and aggressive form of cancer. Several movies have been made regarding the friendship between these two professional football players. 

In the original version of the movie, Billie Dee Williams playing the part of Gale Sayers, has just won the ‘player of the year’ award and he dedicates his award to Brian Piccolo in Brian’s final days before his death. Gale goes on with tears on his face and shares his love and heart for his best friend and teammate.

In our culture today, men rarely speak of love for one another in such a very appropriate and true way. Just like Gale Sayers and Brian Piccolo found real brotherly love, David and Jonathan in the Bible show us an example of what true love and friendship can mean and how it should be treasured.

Our world often corrupts what love is. In our relationships, we misuse the word and often misunderstand it. We tend to focus on ourselves and not others. We get our priorities messed up and struggle to enjoy what God created for us to enjoy. God’s Word gives us perspective and truth and shows us what real love is all about (1 Corinth. 13).

In what may be one of the most well-known verses in the Bible, God informs us clearly of His love for each of us. It doesn’t get much simpler or well-defined for us than this example of what God the Father and His Son have done for us. John 3:16(NLT) “For this is how God loved the world: He gave his one and only Son, so that everyone who believes in him will not perish but have eternal life.”