by Steve Goff<\/p>\n
A true friend is not easily found. A trustworthy advocate who consistently manifests affection for us and who honestly seeks our best interest without ulterior motive is rare in this life. But one such friend available to all men is Jesus Christ. In temptation, we can find no greater comfort than from Him who was in all points tempted like we are, yet without sin. In tribulation, we have no surer companion, in victory no more joyful comrade. And his actions toward His disciples serve as a perfect illustration of what a true friend is.<\/p>\n
Jesus loved His friends. His was not a selfish love, spent as an investment, expecting a reward for feigned affection. Rather, Jesus sought the best for others. And His love for His friends was constant. Not a fair-weather friend, Jesus exemplified Proverbs 17:17: “A friend loves at all times, and a brother is born for adversity.<\/em>” He cried at the tomb of Lazarus, even knowing that He would raise this friend from death, prompting someone to say, “Behold how he loved him<\/em>” (John 11:36). And he performed the ultimate expression of love, giving His own life as a sacrifice for sinners. Jesus explained, “Greater love has no one than this, that one lay down his life for his friends<\/em>” (John 15:13).<\/p>\n Jesus was loyal to His friends. “\u2026there is a friend who sticks closer than a brother<\/em>” (Proverbs 18:24). While teaching at Capernaum, Jesus was told that His mother and brothers waited to speak to Him. His loyalty to His disciples was exhibited by His reference to them as His true kin. “For whoever does the will of My Father who is in heaven, he is My brother and sister and mother<\/em>” (Matthew 12:50). In life, Jesus forsook personal gain and comfort in order to teach His friends. And after His death and resurrection, Jesus promised his disciples, “\u2026 I am with you always, even to the end of the age<\/em>” (Matthew 28:20). Through thick and thin, Jesus is a loyal friend.<\/p>\n Jesus told the truth to His friends. Friends speak the truth, even when the words are hard to utter. A true friend will rebuke and admonish when such is needed. Jesus told the lukewarm Laodiceans, “Those whom I love, I reprove and discipline; therefore be zealous and repent<\/em>” (Revelation 3:19). When His disciples displayed a lack of trust during a storm, Jesus rebuked them (Matthew 8:26). Jesus was a friend enough to prepare His disciples with instruction in the will of God. He was a friend enough to warn them of Satan’s deceits which would ensnare even Peter (Matthew 26:31-34). Jesus was a friend enough to express His innermost emotions as He anticipated the agony of crucifixion, saying, “\u2026 My soul is deeply grieved, to the point of death; remain here and keep watch with Me<\/em>” (Matthew 26:38). And Jesus displayed concern for His apostles, foretelling of His death and telling them, “Do not let your heart be troubled\u2026<\/em>” (John 14:1).<\/p>\n Jesus encouraged his friends to be righteous. This is the mark of a true friend. Young people (and others) often mistake interest for friendship. Those who claim to be friends may exert pressure to engage in premarital sex, drinking, taking drugs, or lascivious dancing. But these are not friends. What true friend would encourage action resulting in the loss of one’s soul? A true friend wants us to be what is best. Jesus was that kind of friend, encouraging His followers to shine forth in good works. (Matthew 5:16) and to walk the narrow way which leads to life (Matthew 7:13-14).<\/p>\n Jesus prayed for his friends. in the final hours before His betrayal, Jesus prayed for His disciples. He prayed for their unity (John 17:11). He asked the Father to keep them from evil (verse 15). He prayed for their faithfulness to the truth (verse 17) and for their salvation and reward in heaven (verse 24).<\/p>\n Jesus set an example for his friends. one Lord never asked His disciples to do anything new, untried, on their own. In all things, He paved the way and promised to be with us every step of the way. His impeccable life serves as our example, that we should follow His steps (I Peter 2:21). Teaching obedience, He obeyed even unto death. Teaching love for others, He gave his own life for mankind. Teaching humility, He washed the feet of His servants. Teaching forgiveness, He forgave those who, through hatred and envy, nailed Him to the cross. He the great example is!<\/p>\n From this study, we conclude two great lessons. First, the life of Jesus provides our greatest example of how to trust friends. A true friend acts in love, is loyal to the ed, encourages righteousness, prays for his friends, and sets an example worthy of emulating.<\/p>\n Second, we are reminded that all these benefits of being a friend to Jesus may be claimed by those who obey Him. Jesus said, “You are My friends if you do what I command you<\/em>” (John 15:14). To know that we have a loving and loyal friend who lived and died for us is to be assured that ours is the best friend a man could ever have. And so with appreciative hearts and fervent voices we sing,<\/p>\n by Steve Goff A true friend is not easily found. A trustworthy advocate who consistently manifests affection for us and who honestly seeks our best interest without ulterior motive is rare in this life. But one such friend available to all men is Jesus Christ. In temptation, we can find no greater comfort than from…<\/p>\n","protected":false},"author":1,"featured_media":0,"comment_status":"closed","ping_status":"closed","sticky":false,"template":"","format":"standard","meta":{"advanced_seo_description":"","jetpack_seo_html_title":"","jetpack_seo_noindex":false,"jetpack_post_was_ever_published":false,"footnotes":""},"categories":[27],"tags":[233,353],"class_list":["post-45499","post","type-post","status-publish","format-standard","hentry","category-article","tag-friends","tag-influence"],"jetpack_featured_media_url":"","jetpack_sharing_enabled":true,"jetpack_likes_enabled":true,"jetpack-related-posts":[{"id":37601,"url":"https:\/\/www.lavistachurchofchrist.org\/cms\/friends\/","url_meta":{"origin":45499,"position":0},"title":"Friends","author":"Jeffrey Hamilton","date":"September 5, 2021","format":false,"excerpt":"by Jeffrey W. Hamilton Text: Psalms 119:57-64 \u00a0 I.\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0You can tell much about a person by the friends he keeps \u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0A.\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u201cWait a minute! I\u2019m my own person!\u201d \u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0B.\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0Perhaps, but outside our family, our friends hold a strong influence in our lives \u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0C.\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0You can\u2019t choose your family, but the people you\u2026","rel":"","context":"In "Audio"","block_context":{"text":"Audio","link":"https:\/\/www.lavistachurchofchrist.org\/cms\/category\/audio\/"},"img":{"alt_text":"","src":"","width":0,"height":0},"classes":[]},{"id":92054,"url":"https:\/\/www.lavistachurchofchrist.org\/cms\/conditional-statements\/","url_meta":{"origin":45499,"position":1},"title":"Conditional Statements","author":"Jeffrey Hamilton","date":"November 11, 2025","format":false,"excerpt":"by Hugh DeLong In John 15, Jesus speaks with the Apostles, and in what he says, we see many 'if' statements and conditional sentences. Note the list: \"If anyone does not abide in\u00a0 Me, he is thrown away as a branch and dries up; and they gather them, and cast\u2026","rel":"","context":"In "Article"","block_context":{"text":"Article","link":"https:\/\/www.lavistachurchofchrist.org\/cms\/category\/article\/"},"img":{"alt_text":"","src":"","width":0,"height":0},"classes":[]},{"id":12161,"url":"https:\/\/www.lavistachurchofchrist.org\/cms\/does-christian-love-demand-a-willingness-to-lay-down-your-life-for-a-friend\/","url_meta":{"origin":45499,"position":2},"title":"Does Christian love demand a willingness to lay down your life for a friend?","author":"Jeffrey Hamilton","date":"September 7, 2007","format":false,"excerpt":"Question: While teaching the adult class I made the statement that a true characteristic of Christian love is that one would be willing to lay down his\/her life for his\/her friends.\u00a0 One lady stated that she could not do that.\u00a0 What are your thoughts?\u00a0 How would you answer this lady's\u2026","rel":"","context":"In "Answer"","block_context":{"text":"Answer","link":"https:\/\/www.lavistachurchofchrist.org\/cms\/category\/answer\/"},"img":{"alt_text":"","src":"","width":0,"height":0},"classes":[]},{"id":92143,"url":"https:\/\/www.lavistachurchofchrist.org\/cms\/jesus-the-friend-of-sinners\/","url_meta":{"origin":45499,"position":3},"title":"Jesus, the Friend of Sinners","author":"Jeffrey Hamilton","date":"November 15, 2025","format":false,"excerpt":"by David Gibson Text: Luke 19:1-10 Jesus makes a friend Astounding! The Creator of the universe walking around in a human body on dusty roads here on Planet Earth and into the home of a man nobody liked. Jesus paid a price to make this friend. This is the third\u2026","rel":"","context":"In "Article"","block_context":{"text":"Article","link":"https:\/\/www.lavistachurchofchrist.org\/cms\/category\/article\/"},"img":{"alt_text":"","src":"","width":0,"height":0},"classes":[]},{"id":61473,"url":"https:\/\/www.lavistachurchofchrist.org\/cms\/notes-on-friends\/","url_meta":{"origin":45499,"position":4},"title":"Notes on Friends","author":"Jeffrey Hamilton","date":"June 19, 2005","format":false,"excerpt":"Examples I Samuel 18:1-4; 20:4-7 Jonathan and David Ruth 1:16 Ruth and Naomi Acts 18:3 Aquila, Priscilla, and Paul Nature Joshua 1:5 \"No man shall be able to stand before you all the days of your life; as I was with Moses, so I will be with you. I will\u2026","rel":"","context":"In "Notes"","block_context":{"text":"Notes","link":"https:\/\/www.lavistachurchofchrist.org\/cms\/category\/notes\/"},"img":{"alt_text":"","src":"","width":0,"height":0},"classes":[]},{"id":33019,"url":"https:\/\/www.lavistachurchofchrist.org\/cms\/the-tie-that-binds\/","url_meta":{"origin":45499,"position":5},"title":"The Tie that Binds","author":"Jeffrey Hamilton","date":"March 6, 2021","format":false,"excerpt":"by Dixie Bowman Sentry Magazine, December 2000 Earthly relationships often inspire and encourage us as we live our lives as Christians. While this is not another article about marriage, divorce, and remarriage, I would fail in my effort to write concerning relationships if I did not first mention the most\u2026","rel":"","context":"In "Article"","block_context":{"text":"Article","link":"https:\/\/www.lavistachurchofchrist.org\/cms\/category\/article\/"},"img":{"alt_text":"","src":"","width":0,"height":0},"classes":[]}],"_links":{"self":[{"href":"https:\/\/www.lavistachurchofchrist.org\/cms\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts\/45499","targetHints":{"allow":["GET"]}}],"collection":[{"href":"https:\/\/www.lavistachurchofchrist.org\/cms\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts"}],"about":[{"href":"https:\/\/www.lavistachurchofchrist.org\/cms\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/types\/post"}],"author":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/www.lavistachurchofchrist.org\/cms\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/users\/1"}],"replies":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/www.lavistachurchofchrist.org\/cms\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/comments?post=45499"}],"version-history":[{"count":0,"href":"https:\/\/www.lavistachurchofchrist.org\/cms\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts\/45499\/revisions"}],"wp:attachment":[{"href":"https:\/\/www.lavistachurchofchrist.org\/cms\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/media?parent=45499"}],"wp:term":[{"taxonomy":"category","embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/www.lavistachurchofchrist.org\/cms\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/categories?post=45499"},{"taxonomy":"post_tag","embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/www.lavistachurchofchrist.org\/cms\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/tags?post=45499"}],"curies":[{"name":"wp","href":"https:\/\/api.w.org\/{rel}","templated":true}]}}“Jesus is all the world to me.
\nAnd true to Him I’ll be;
\nOh, how could I this friend deny,
\nwhen He’s so true to me?
\nFollowing Him I know I’m right.
\nHe watches o’re me day and night;
\nFollowing Him by day and night,
\nHe’s my friend.”<\/blockquote>\n","protected":false},"excerpt":{"rendered":"