The Gift of Friendship

“Remember, the greatest gift is not found in a store nor under a tree, but in the hearts of true friends.” (Quote from author Cindy Lew) Although this gift of friendship doesn’t cost anything monetarily, many single professionals and married couples are often too busy with building their professional lives to cultivate genuine and meaningful friendships. Unfortunately, many settle for less instead of fighting to develop the faith required to have healthy, fulfilling and meaningful friendships. Friendships are an important component of building the professionals ministry in the Bay Area Christian Church. The Bible lays out a few convictions that will help us experience the gift of real friendship.

A friend loves at all times, and a brother is born for adversity.
Proverbs 17:17

The greatest conviction needed to be a great friend is the conviction to love at all times. Friendships stay superficial when we refuse to love during the most difficult moments; especially when it requires that we sacrifice or that we do something that may test our personal comfort. But it is at these moments that great friendships are born, trust is developed, commitment is forged and endearment is established.

Wounds from a friend can be trusted, but an enemy multiplies kisses.
Proverbs 27:6

This scripture teaches us that it is better to be wounded by a friend than complimented or flattered by an enemy. If you find a friend that is willing to tell you the truth even when it hurts, you have found a true friend. A true friend has your best interest at heart. They will risk their friendship with you in order to help you be the best you possible.

Such friends are rare, however, in the professionals ministry in the Bay Area Christian Church, our goal is to make this a common quality in our relationships.

He who loves a pure heart and whose speech is gracious will have the king for his friend.
Proverbs 22:11

We don’t often associate the condition of our friendships with the condition of our heart and the words that come out of our mouth. Often our thoughts are focused on other people and how they make us feel. This scripture teaches is that we can and will be friends with anyone if we would focus on the condition of our own heart and pay attention to what we say and how we say it.

Gracious is characterized by kindness and warm courtesy, merciful and compassionate. How often do we consider how kind or compassionate our speech is?

Regardless of whether friendships are an individual’s personal strength the professional’s ministry is taking these biblical principles and teaching healthy, fulfilling and meaningful friendships.