The root of the word friend in Portuguese is the word love. A friend is someone that loves you in a consistent form. Jesus is the greatest example of a friend that we have, therefore, “Greater love has no one than this, that he lay down his life for his friends? (John 15:13).
In the gospel of John, chapter 15, Jesus talks to the disciples and declares to them his friendship (sweet, precious friendship!). In his speech, he makes some characteristics of a true friendship clear: a friend is one whom knows how to value the authority of the other (v.10).
There is a sort of mutual submission between true friends. In the case of Jesus, everybody recognized his authority. There wasn?t a dispute for power, for who knew more, for who sent more. Between equals, however, one assumes the leadership, but when things change, and another person has more authority, he will go back to second place without burden.
A friend is one whom is interested in making the other happy, before making himself happy (v 11). He is willing to serve and enrich the other. He is happy in seeing the satisfaction in the face of his friend. A friend is one whom makes himself known, whom shares plans and dreams (v15).
A friend is one whom includes you in his plans, whom does not leave you out when he plans an attractive, desirable, and good thing. A friend is one whom takes the initiative of approach (v.16). He doesn?t stay expecting too much from the others, and is lavish, searching the others instead of expecting to be sought.
If you resent for being “left aside”, try to take the first step toward people, and always repeat this first step. I guarantee that you won?t be alone. A friend cheers in seeing the other grow like an individual (v.16b). He doesn?t want his friend to have an empty life without purpose. Are you lacking a friend like this? Then I want to introduce you my friend! He is sensational! He never fails! He is Jesus! Surrender your life to Him, and begin to walk with Him. You will never regret having him as your friend!
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