Your Best Friend

January 17, 2016

Your Best Friend

Proverbs 17:17

A friend loves at all times,

And a brother is born for adversity.

Matthew Henry concise commentary

No change of outward circumstances should abate our affection for our friends or relatives. But no friend, except Christ, deserves unlimited confidence. In Him this text did receive, and still receives its most glorious fulfilment.

Miyagi’s commentary

Who do you consider a friend?  What do you look for in a friend?  In this day and age, the term “friend” is used quite loosely.  It could be someone that you do things with, or someone that you talk to everyday or someone that you can turn to during difficult moments in life.   There are also different kind of friends: the fair-weather friends, the free-loader friends, the drainers and the fillers.  But a true friend should be someone who loves Jesus Christ and is walking closely with Him.  As believers, one cannot be close friends with an unbeliever because light and darkness just simply cannot have fellowship together.  

Jesus Christ should be the basis and foundation of all friendships.  Those whom we cannot have fellowship with we can minister to.  Having a few close friends is better than having dozens of fair-weathered friends.  And the true measure of a friend usually comes forth when you go through difficult times.  Do they stick around or do they take off?   

Jesus Christ is the best friend that anyone can ever ask for.  He loves us.  He is faithful. He cares.  He listens when we call out to Him.  He is available all the time.  He is wise and can give counsel.  He has our best interest in mind.  He always lead us in the right way of living.  Jesus is the only One who is deserving of the title “true friend.”  

A true friend will tell you what you need to hear, not what you want to hear. “Faithful are the wounds of a friend; but the kisses of an enemy are deceitful.” Prov 27:6

Be careful with people who flatters you all the time.  They are setting you up.  Recognize the trap.  

Summary conclusion:

Jesus calls us His friends in the Bible (John 15:15).  What a privilege and honor it is to be a friend of the Lord Jesus.  

Psalms 41:9  AMP

Even my own close friend in whom I trusted, Who ate my bread, Has lifted up his heel against me [betraying me].

Matthew Henry concise commentary

Verses 5-13 We complain, and justly, of the want of sincerity, and that there is scarcely any true friendship to be found among men; but the former days were no better. One particularly, in whom David had reposed great confidence, took part with his enemies. And let us not think it strange, if we receive evil from those we suppose to be friends. Have not we ourselves thus broken our words toward God? We eat of his bread daily, yet lift up the heel against him. But though we may not take pleasure in the fall of our enemies, we may take pleasure in the making vain their designs. When we can discern the Lord's favour in any mercy, personal or public, that doubles it. If the grace of God did not take constant care of us, we should not be upheld. But let us, while on earth, give heartfelt assent to those praises which the redeemed on earth and in heaven render to their God and Saviour.

Miyagi’s commentary

When we put total confidence in a human friend, we can experience disappointment, betrayal or hurt.  But if we put total confidence and trust in the Lord Jesus, we can be sure that He will never disappoint us, hurt us nor betray us.  

Summary conclusion:

The Bible tells us that “bad company corrupts good morals” (1 cor 15:33).  So be careful who you befriend.

The Big picture:

A true friend loves at all times.  He is there through thick and thin.  He will never leave you nor forsake you.  There is only one person like that in this whole world and that is Jesus Christ.

The byword:

Jesus is the only friend you will ever need.  You can trust Him with your life.  

Miyagi