“Two are better than one because they have a good return for their labor. For if either of them falls, the one will lift up his companion. But woe to the one who falls when there is not another to lift him up. Furthermore, if two lie down together they keep warm, but how can one be warm alone? And if one can overpower him who is alone, two can resist him. A cord of three strands is not quickly torn apart.” Ecclesiastes 4:9-12 (NASB)
Solomon
clearly stated in the passage above that “two are better than one.” God created you with a need for
companionship. You were not intended to
be friendless.
If this is true, why are so many people alone? Because developing friendships is risky
business and time consuming. Choices to
become vulnerable with a friend requires tearing down long standing walls you may
have constructed to protect you.
You’ve heard the old adage, “To have friends, you
must be a friend.” Perhaps the reason
you feel alone at this time is because you have not chosen to be the kind of
friend you want to have.
Rather than hide in a closet of self-pity and mourn
over the absence of friends, try choosing to be the kind of friend you desire
to have. God’s Word gives some help in
this area. Below are a list of choices
to make.
1. Choose to be a friend NOW.
Galatians 5:13-14 (NASB) For you were called to freedom, brethren; only do not turn your freedom into an opportunity for the flesh, but through love serve one another. 14 For the whole Law is fulfilled in one word, in the statement, "YOU SHALL LOVE YOUR NEIGHBOR AS YOURSELF."
2. Choose to be a friend who can be counted
on.
Proverbs 17:17 (NASB) A friend loves at all times, and a brother is born for adversity
3. Choose to be a compassionate
friend.
Job 6:14 (NASB) "For the despairing man there should be kindness from his friend; So that he does not forsake the fear of the Almighty.
4. Choose to be a friend who can be trusted.
Prov 11:13 (NASB) He who goes about as a talebearer reveals secrets, But he who is trustworthy conceals a matter.
5. Choose to be an honest friend.
Prov 27:5-6 (NASB) Better is open rebuke than love that is concealed. 6 Faithful are the wounds of a friend, but deceitful are the kisses of an enemy.
6. Choose to contribute to
the success of your friend.
Prov 27:17 (NASB) Iron sharpens iron, so one man sharpens another.
7. Choose to become a friend of the perfect
friend.
John 15:12-15 (NASB) "This is My commandment, that you love one another, just as I have loved you.13 "Greater love has no one than this, that one lay down his life for his friends. 14 "You are My friends if you do what I command you. 15 "No longer do I call you slaves, for the slave does not know what his master is doing; but I have called you friends, for all things that I have heard from My Father I have made known to you.
8. Choose to be the kind of friend
who introduces your best friend to other friends.
1 Corinthians 9:20-22 (NASB) To the Jews I became as a Jew, so that I might win Jews; to those who are under the Law, as under the Law though not being myself under the Law, so that I might win those who are under the Law; 21 to those who are without law, as without law, though not being without the law of God but under the law of Christ, so that I might win those who are without law.22 To the weak I became weak, that I might win the weak; I have become all things to all men, so that I may by all means save some.
Take
the initiative and choose to become a good friend. Before you know it, you will look around and
find you’re not alone any longer. You’ve
got a friend.
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