Christian Living

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Larry Lilly's Letter Monday November 27, 2006

Over the weekend a friend wanted to know if I had a few Bible stories of friendship to back up my many assertions on the subject over the last month. When you think about it, the Bible doesn't deal with many deep friendships. I assume the reason being that such friendships are rare, like the jewel, consistency. Shakespeare said it well:

"Consistency, consistency, thou art the rarest of jewels."

Most people live their entire lives without it ever dawning on them that Shakespeare's observation holds true for friendship. I am willing to put my Kenny Rogers' hat on and bet the farm that you, over the course of your life haven't lost or made anywhere near the number of true friends as you may think. A true friend is as rare as drawing to an inside straight royal flush. I don't know much about this hand, but I do recall hearing mom talk about it.

Three Bible stories of deep friendship immediately leaped into my mind when asked the question; 'Do you know any Bible stories about friendship?' The story of the friendship of David and Jonathan, which reached past the death of Jonathan into the life of his son Mephibosheth is the account of an enduring friendship. The last visit of David and Jonathan is one of the most gripping scenes in all of literature. And the final of scene in the life of the pathetic Mephibosheth as David obeyed the ancient law concerning what must be done with this lame of foot man is a lesson that many would do well to learn from.

Ruth and Naomi. Ruth 1:16 is still quoted and sung, this inappropriately at weddings, as one way of pledging fidelity. The book of Ruth is chock full of symbols of redemption, including the resurrection of Christ. It is passing interesting that the primary bond of Ruth and Naomi was their mutual love for the son.

When my time of disgrace fell out to the known world, an acquaintance of years let me know thusly; "Larry, now that you are no longer acceptable to people important to my career, I cannot have anything more to do with you." I promise this is an exact quote. I remember thinking, "I sure am glad Jesus has already made it to the top and no longer worries about His career!!" My point in this section is the fact the third friend is Jesus and He is on record as 'sticking closer than a brother.'

I often read that "One should cultivate friends who are on higher level than oneself." Where would any of us be if Jesus followed this social/career ladder climbing tactic?

Over the next few days please keep at the front of your mind that the stated purpose of this treatise on friendship is to organize information on how to BE a friend, not on how to MAKE people like you.

Through a dark and long night I learned that when I thought of all the 'friends' who had abandoned me, I became bitter. When I faced the music that I was not a good friend in the biblical sense, I became better, and asked the Lord to show me how to become a truly good friend. I am working on it.

Larry Lilly Copyright © 2006 Use with credit

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