Essentials of True Friendship...

“After David had finished talking with Saul, he met Jonathan, the king’s son. There was an immediate bond of love between them, and they became the best of friends. From that day on Saul kept David with him and wouldn’t let him return home. And Jonathan made a solemn pact with David, because he loved him as he loved himself. Jonathan sealed the pact by taking off his robe and giving it to David, together with his tunic, sword, bow, and belt.” 1 Samuel 18: 1-4

This takes place right after David slain Goliath. The Bible says when Jonathan and David met, there was an immediate bond and they became close friends. Let me take a moment and talk about that immediate bond… there was something significant that took place; a oneness and friendship with depth and true meaning. The KJV says their souls were knit together. They shared a common heart, they could relate to one another. So God, in His mercy gave David a true friend. Their friendship is very relevant to us today. When my friend (I wrote about in my last post), started to share her heart with me, like with David and Jonathan, an immediate bond took place. We understood each other. We knew exactly where the other one was coming from; regarding feelings, emotions, and spiritual worldviews. Let’s look at what Proverbs 18: 24 says …

“There are “friends” who destroy each other, but a real friend sticks closer than a brother.” Proverbs 18: 24

David became a national hero. Saul’s appreciation for David turned into jealousy. He became jealous of his popularity, and started to hunt down David to kill him. Let me just veer away from the subject of friendship for a moment… Perhaps people have been jealous of you and have even attacked you in some way. They may be intimidated by your strengths or gifts. It’s a natural thing to want to strike back or to avoid them. A better response is to befriend them. What? Befriend them? Yes, we need to ask God for the strength to continue to love them, just as David kept on loving Saul.
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From this day on is when David goes into hiding and will be lonely for many years. Loneliness is everywhere—many people feel cut off and alienated from others. To see the way God intends true and close friendship to be, We can look at David and then look at ourselves; some of us are very lonely because we don’t have anyone else who truly understands us. Some people want friendship to meet their own needs. Look at 1 Samuel verse 1 again, “There was an immediate bond of love between them …” True friendship is selfless, not jealous, not manipulative. True Biblical friendship is not fair-weathered.

“Walk with the wise and become wise; associate with fools and get in trouble.” Proverbs 13: 20

“A friend is always loyal, and a brother is born to help in time of need.” Proverbs 17: 17

“I am a friend to anyone who fears you—anyone who obeys your commandments.” Psalm 119: 63

"There is no greater love than to lay down One's life for one's friends. You are my friends if you do what I command. I no longer call you slaves, because a master doesn't confide in his slaves. Now you are my friends, since I have told you everything the Father told me." John 15: 13-15

It's very important to build upon spiritual attractiveness.

More on friendship to come…



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