God loved us, loves us, and will love us. Why should we not follow in His example?
”A friend loveth at all times, and a brother is born for adversity.” -Proverbs 17:17
”A man that hath friends must show himself friendly: and there is a friend that sticketh closer than a brother.” -Proverbs 18:24
”Ye are my friends, if ye do whatsoever I command you. Henceforth I call you not servants; for the servant knowth not what his lord doeth: but I have called you friends; for all things that I have heard of my Father I have made known unto you.” -St. John 15:14-15
Jonathan and David were close friends. When Jonathan died, David was saddened heavily.. “And David lamented with his lamentation over Saul and over Jonathan his son:….From the blood of the slain, from the fat of the mighty, the bow of Jonathan turned not back, and the sword of Saul returned not empty. Saul and Jonathan were lovely and pleasant in their lives, and in their death they were not divided: they were swifter than eagles, they were stronger than lions….How are the mighty fallen in the midst of the battle! O Jonathan, thou wast slain in thine high places. I am distressed for thee, my brother Jonathan: very pleasant hast thou been unto me: thy love to me was wonderful, passing the love of women. How are the mighty fallen, and the weapons of war perished!” -II Samuel 2:17-27
Just a Note: Some terms and words used by David create the illusion for some people that the two men were gay, when in fact, they were not. When David says that Jonathan’s love passes the love of women, it is to say that maybe the love of a brother or a sister will pass the love of a boyfriend or a girlfriend, for example.
”Let brotherly love continue.” -Hebrews 13:1
FRIENDSHIP
Verses: I Samuel 18:1, Proverbs 18:24, Ecclesiastes 4:9-10, Proverbs 27:17, Proverbs 27:6, Proverbs 12:26, Proverbs 27:9, Proverbs 22:24--25, Proverbs 27:10, St. John 15:14-14, St. John 15:12-13, Exodus 33:11, James 4:4-5, Proverbs 22:11, Proverbs 17:17
"Proverbs 17:17 -- How to Be a Good Friend
"The Old Testament puts great emphasis on close family relationships. Surprisingly, Proverbs rates a good friend even higher, for he or she 'sticks closer than a brother' (Proverbs 18:24). Fair-weather friends are common (Proverbs 14:20), and the wrong kind of companions will bring you trouble. But a true friend loves you at all times, even when things are bad.
"Some of my most cherished possessions are my school yearbooks. If my house ever caught fire, they'd be among the first things I'd grab as I ran outside. Penned in various colors of ink throughout the annuals are entries such as this:
"'Your friendship means the world to me, and I'll never forget you or the times we shared. Love, Diana.'
"On adjacent pages are dozens of other entries, signed by other good friends: Helen, Sam, Donna, Jerry, Anita, Mark, Cyndee, and many others. Just seeing my friends' names is enough to flood my mind with endless memories.
"Friendship was serious business with Christ. When his friends were hurting, he healed them. When they were hungry, he fed them. When they were discouraged, he prayed with them. And when they were dying, he cried for them.
"Of course, it wasn't enough that he shed tears. he knew it would take blood. And so he said, 'Greater love has no one than this, that one lay down his life for his friends.' Shortly thereafter, at a place called Calvary, he put his life on the line for his friends.
"The world hasn't gotten over it yet." -God's Words of Life
