Whodini asked this question a while back, “Friends, How many of us have them?” Your ability to maintain and grow right friendships will have a huge positive effect on your walk. Facebook measures your number of friends to give an account of online friendships. I hope you know that friendships can't be measured by thumbs up and likes. As I doubt many of your online friends would dare get up out of the bed and come to your rescue if the need arises! I am blessed to have had the privilege to meet many people in my life. I have done ministry with many people in my life and I value their presence and some have been closer than a brother.
How do you measure friendship?
TRUE FRIENDS STICK TOGETHER. The bible says, 17 A friend loves at all times, and a brother is born for a time of adversity. You wont see your true friends until all your fake friends are gone. That usually happens in adverse situations. When you are in adverse situations most people cast judgment without a resolution. Always be the person that loves at all times and extends grace even when you are hurt. That’s Kingdom.
TRUE FRIENDS GROW. Iron sharpens iron, and one man sharpens another. Proverbs 27:17 Are you growing? Are the people around you growing? Some people around you may resent you after you begin to challenge yourself and rearrange your priorities. Thats ok, Iron gets hot but it gets sharper with friction. Keep getting sharper in the word and celebrate with your friends who are growing. Remember this, You are the sum total of the five people you talk to the most. Everyone who has your ear must be looking to better themselves and they will give you insight on how to better yourself.
TRUE FRIENDS REVIVE 9 Oil and perfume make the heart glad, and the sweetness of a friend comes from his earnest counsel. Proverbs 27:9 One of the hardest things to do in life is love someone who will not listen to wisdom. However that’s exactly how I learned the kingdom mindset. I have a Pastor friend who challenge each other and earnestly pray for each other. Every conversation we have is about what God is up to in the Kingdom. Its refreshing because we both are Pastors but if you are an accountant, lawyer, or daycare worker I believe it will revive you to talk about what God is doing all around you in your current occupational field.
Your quality of life is measured in how many quality friendships you have. I have FRIENDS! Some from my hometown that we have been friends for many years. We have had disagreements, fights you name it! Through it all we wish Gods best for each other. We spent time together this past weekend and talked about the problems we face as men and I felt revived. I guess its because TRUE FRIENDS PRACTICE TRUE LOVE.