OF FRIENDS & FRIENDSHIP

  "Friends like you are hard to find."  What a beautiful message to receive these days.  Like a child who needs a playmate, does anyone also needs a friend.  You may ask what's the difference of the two.
  When you say playmate, he/she is the person who can go with you along many games,  but when you say friend, he/she is the one person who has principles same like you.  As I have learned reading the bible, in the book of Proverbs chapter seventeen verse seventeen that says "Friends always show their love.  What are relatives for if not to share trouble?"

Truth is: As one grows up, one needs friends who (a) have good conduct (b)commendable principles (c)good influence.

Now, the question is how can one find a friend who has these things mentioned.  Let us go about each of these mentioned above.

GOOD CONDUCT:  Not all can be a true friend.  As mentioned in the book of Proverbs chapter eighteen verse twenty-four that says, "  Some friendships do not last, but some friends are more loyal than brothers."  Perhaps you have encountered a person who just used you for any reason, or perhaps who betrayed you.  Truthfully that does broke your trust you gave.  ALWAYS  REMEMBER that what is important is not how many do you have friends but how good are they to you or to your loved ones.  Try to open the bible and read the book of Galatians chapter five verses twenty two and twenty three of which that says,"  But the Spirit produces love, joy, peace, patience, kindness, goodness, faithfulness, humility, and self control.  There is no law against such things as these" ; and ask yourself, "Does my friends show " the fruit of Spirit?"

COMMENDABLE PRINCIPLES:  If you really are searching for a friend, might be you would just choose anybody out there.  The bible says, "Keep company with the wise and you will become wise.  if you make friends with the stupid people, you will be ruined." (PROVERBS 13:20)  Instead of making friends with anybody out there, be someone who carefully chooses someone to call friend at all times,choose not the fair weather friends.  Choose someone who we can distinguish what is right from wrong, who serves the Lord Jesus Christ.

GOOD INFLUENCE:  The bible says "Do not be fooled.  "Bad companions ruin your good character."  Don't friend those persons who use bribery for you to follow their lifestyles.  Maybe you can say it could be one reason why you have less friends or nothing at all.  But the thing here is  it can lighten up your load where you can find a good and true friend who is of good influence.