The Best of Friends

By Travis Robertson

    The book of Proverbs is filled with wise sayings covering a gamut of topics. One topic that it covers quite well is that of friendship. Let’s note four qualities of friendship from the book of Proverbs that will help us discover the best of friends.
    First, the best of friends is one who is always in your corner. “A friend loves at all times, and a brother is born for adversity” (Prov. 17:17). That doesn’t mean they will always agree with your actions and decisions, but they will never give up on you. They love you and desire the best outcome for you.
    Second, the best of friends offers you strength and wisdom. Solomon instructs us, “Iron sharpens iron, and one man sharpens another” (Prov. 27:17). If we are without good friends, we will soon discover how dull we truly are, and that we are in need of sharpening.
    Third, the best of friends is one who tells the truth. He will be open, honest, and sincere. Solomon said, “Faithful are the wounds of a friend; profuse are the kisses of an enemy” (Prov. 27:6). We feel good when everyone agrees with us, but we need a true friend to be candid at all times.
    Fourth, the best of friends is one who is thoughtful and considerate. We are told, “Like one who takes off a garment on a cold day, or like vinegar on soda, Is he who sings songs to a troubled heart.” This friend knows when and how to say or do things to help their friends.
    Let’s do our best to become a friend like this, and seek out friends that fit these qualities.

- Travis Robertson preachers for the Lake Norman Church of Christ in Huntersville, NC. He may be contacted through the congregation's website at http://lakenormancoc.org/