Friends

An English publication once offered a prize for the best definition of a friend.  Some which received were: "one who multiplies joy and divides grief," another, "one who understands our silence."  But, the winning definition was "the one who comes in when the whole world has gone out."

Friends are with us, period.  Trials and hardships notwithstanding the friend endures with us.  As this definition states, when the world leaves the friend is entering.  Others abandon us during hard times, but a friend is a friend all of the time.  Jesus, when he walked the earth, was derided by his opponents for those with whom he was a friend.  "The Son of man came eating an drinking and they say. Behold a gluttonous man and a drunkard, a friend of tax-gathers and sinners!" (Matthew 11:19). Friendship in the world is all too often shallow.  It rest more on superficial elements such as beauty, status, power or money than anything substantial.  Jesus was friends with those who needed him.  True friendship is sacrificial in nature.  Jesus also said "Greater love has no one than this, that one lay down his life for his friends" (John 15:13).  The ultimate example of friendship is the sacrifice of Jesus for us.

God is just such a friend to us.  Think of those who have been God's friends.  God did not desert them during the difficult times but remained their friend sometimes even when hurt was inflicted on Himself.  Paul teaches that while we were yet ungodly and sinners, God loved us and acted on our behalf.  In our deepest, darkest hour God is the friend when stays and comforts and continues to love all the while forgiving and forgetting.  You see, that's what friends do.

In turn, we are taught that since God so loved us we ought then to love one another.  Christianity is also about friendship.  Not friendship as the world practices.  It is a friendship taught and practiced by God.  Even if the world turns away from us, God will not turn away, neither will the brethren.  This is how friends act.  Surely this is what it means, in part, to be imitators of god!

Charles Hill

Church of Christ

Chambersburg, PA