Proverbs 18:24, “A man of many companions may come to ruin, but there is a friend who sticks closer than a brother.”
When I was young, my friend called me to meet him and our “group,” at a bridge in the neighborhood, to go skateboarding. When I showed up they weren’t there, but as I looked around I could see them, from a distance, laughing. As I moved closer, they ran away and I realized they were playing a joke on me. I ended up chasing them all over the neighborhood just to hang out with them — some friends!
Despite it being a joke, I never forgot that day because it was the first time I realized my friends weren’t always going to be reliable — even my best friends! My siblings weren’t any better. My siblings were from my Mother’s previous marriage and grew up with their father. They spent much of their lives addicted to drugs and alcohol and didn’t know how to be good friends. I never had close friendships, including with my siblings, until I met Jesus.
When I got saved, I met my best friend (Jesus) and realized how true the above proverb really is. Jesus’ friendship is so real and deep, that no family member nor earthly friendship can compare. Some unbelievers think that I’m referring to Jesus like a child’s imaginary friend, but my best friend is not only real, He is closer to me than the air I breathe.
Jesus knows me from the inside out; and, despite my mistakes He always sees me as righteous. He never gets bored of being with me and He fills my thoughts with His thoughts about me.
As His disciple, I get to make new friends in the church all the time. These new friends have become the best friends I have ever had. Many of these friendships have lasted over twenty years. C.S. Lewis wrote, “Friendship is born at that moment when one person says to another: ‘What! You too? I thought I was the only one.’” I’m glad I have friends that can understand what I am going through in life. My best friend, of all time, is my wife and we get to have a sleepover every night! It never gets old how God brings new people into my life and lets me share Him with them. Friendship, with God and His people, is one of the greatest blessings I’ve ever experienced.
I pray that you will make Jesus your best friend and start enjoying friendship with His disciples. You can always spend time, with Jesus, in prayer, worship and reading His Word; and, you can hang out with other disciples in the church and share life together. Be sure to preach to your unsaved friends so they can meet Jesus and have a personal relationship with Him, too. Jesus promised to be a friend who sticks closer than a brother. Doesn’t it feel good to know that the God of the universe loves to be your friend?
REFLECTION
Is Jesus your best friend?
ACTION
- Make Jesus your best friend, in life, by being born again and spending time with Him everyday.
- Avoid close friendships with sinners because bad company corrupts good character and light has nothing in common with darkness (1 Corinthians 15:33 & 2 Corinthians 6:14).
- Always be excited to make new Christian friends because you have the most important thing in common!
