The picture of the minion-friends on the left might appear quite funny because it is. In one of the pieces of writing by Aelred of Rievaulx, a
12th-century Cistercian abbot, On Spiritual Friendship. Aelred challenges
that every christian that they must examine their opinion about friendship with Scripture.
The discourse is a discussion in which three abbots join Aelred to scrutinize
their notions about friendship from Bible. And I think that is very pertinent also, especially, in the time such as our's, where people have forgotten the meaning and art of friendship and just end up their life in misery just because of their erroneous understanding of friends and friendship. How can we find true friendship in
this often phony and momentary world? Bible has something to inform us about. Below
is a Biblical analysis about the concept of friendship.
CHRISTIAN FRIENDSHIP: TWO BIBLICAL MODELS
The biblical model of Friendship stands in contrast to what
world might accept. Below are two models:
1. COUNSELLOR-FRIENDSHIP MODEL
{JESUS TO DISCIPLES}
{JESUS TO DISCIPLES}
The first model of Christian friendship is counselor model.
In this model one is responsible of counselling, guiding, mentoring, advising and
discipling anyone he/she is in friendship with. This is more of a ministry based
model. In the Bible we see many great leaders, prophets and man of God
mentoring and guiding their fellow co-workers, in instances disciples. And above all Jesus’ kind of friendly relationship also falls in this category. This is a relationship that has much to do with Christian
ministry, similar to the kind Jesus' model which He had with his disciples. There are a number of
people around us, could also be found in our touch, sometime we might like calling them friends. As a Christian friend, we have this responsibility towards them to counsel them to
make their way towards Christ or if already saved, guide them to be Godly, in a larger scale.
2. COUNSELEE-FRIENDSHIP
{DISCIPLES TO JESUS}
{DISCIPLES TO JESUS}
In a counselee model of friendship, we are like the one who
is being counseled, mentored, advised guided and discipled by our counsellor-friend. Anyone can come in
this category. The one who needs someone to share his/her feeling, emotions,
thoughts, burdens and get some encouragements in the times of need. Many people search someone, not necessarily
more aged rather more experienced or wise, tempered, serene and spiritually mature to get guidance from for the crucial decisions of life.
This is very pivotal when one is growing and in need of some necessary advises from right person in the right time. After God, everyone must have someone on
this earth to always be there to assist in the times of need, a shoulder to lay
head when the world come crashing down in highs and lows of life. In times God
appoints individuals in our life to take His place and do His task in and
through our lives. This is more of a type of friendship that disciples had with Jesus.
A Christians can, if wish to be, a counsellor or a counselee
at the same time but to different people but with all cognizant of
responsibility of a counsellor and an attitude of submission of a counselee.
CHARACTERISTICS OF A TRUE CHRISTIAN FRIEND
So, what does a true Christian friendship look like? Let's
break it down into traits that are easy to identify.
A. LOVES SACRIFICIALLY
John 15:13 Greater love has no one than this, that he lay
down his life for his friends.
Jesus has already gone the way. We are to follow Him in
sacrificing our life for the one we love.
B. ACCEPTS UNCONDITIONALLY
Proverbs 17:17 A friend loves at all times, and a brother is
born for adversity.
We learn the best of friendships with brothers and sisters
who know and accept our weaknesses and inadequacies. For notice, no one is perfect
in this world but only GOD.
C. TRUSTS COMPLETELY
Proverbs 18:24 A man of many companions may come to ruin,
but there is a friend who sticks closer than a brother.
D. OFFERS A BALANCED ADMONISHMENT
Proverbs 27:6 Wounds from a friend can be trusted ... (NIV) True Christian friends will shape each other up emotionally,
spiritually, and physically. Friends like to be together simply because it
feels good. And at times, even if our friends don’t like, we must wound our
friends with sword of WORD of GOD, to cater their spiritual needs. And its
ok!!!
Let's become wise in making friends and be a good friend, as scriptures tell us to be.
by Charles Kingsley
“A blessed thing it is for any man or woman to have a friend; one human soul whom we can trust utterly; who knows the best and the worst of us, and who loves us in spite of all our faults; who will speak the honest truth to us, while the world flatters us to our face, and laughs at us behind our back; who will give us counsel and reproof in the day of prosperity and self-conceit; but who, again, will comfort and encourage us in the day of difficulty and sorrow, when the world leaves us alone to fight our own battle as we can.”
HAPPY FRIENDSHIP DAY!!!!
further readings;
David and Jonathan
Elijah and Elisha
Job’s friends
Jesus and disciples
Image Source: http://quotesnhumor.com/wp-content/uploads/2015/04/Top-30-Funny-Minions-Friendship-Quotes-Funny.jpg
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