TODAY IS…

a superb day to thank God for His gift of friends.

“Greater love hath no man than this, that a man lay down his life for his friends.”  John 15:13 KJV

There is much that has been written, and said, about friendship throughout history

We can probably all remember times in our lives in which friends have played a critical role: a spouse passes suddenly, or a tragedy befalls one of our children; we have a car accident and are injured; we go through the unfortunate unpleasantness of a divorce. The list goes on and on but the action taken by friends in times of need is always the same: a friend is immediately and unquestionably there for us when we need them.

Hopefully none of us will be required to lay down our life for a friend, although this very thing has been done many times and in many places. The world truly is filled with individuals who place a high value on the friendship of another human being.

Do we include ourselves in that group?

Friends are there for us even when we may not think we need them. Our friends will tell us when we are wrong. They will speak up and try to help us to avert disasters that we refuse to see looming before us. In fulfilling the obligations of friendship, sometimes the truth will hurt. However, our friends will never tell us anything but the truth.

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

Jesus spoke very powerfully about friendship, and the love that is required for it to flourish and grow. His instructions were clear and left no room for misinterpretation.

“My command is this: Love each other as I have loved you.” (John 15:12 NIV).

After He spoke of laying down one’s life for a friend, He offered His friendship to us. “You are My friends if you do what I command.” (John 15:14 NIV).

What an incredible gift He is offering to us. Not only has He blessed us with the gift of friendship from those around us, He blessed us with the gift of His friendship for being friends to others.

Offer the gift of your friendship to those around you. Live your life in the manner directed by God, and thank Him for the gift of friendship that you receive.

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Taken from “TODAY IS….A Gift From God”, (C) 2013 Tony Casson