“A friend loves at all times, and a brother is born for adversity” Proverbs 17:17 AMP
Many of us have experienced family disagreements that caused a separation of even parents from their children. Disagreements with family members can erupt over the simplest of things! Who are you voting for? What do you think about …? Did you hear what so-and-so said yesterday? Many a rift has begun when a family member feels hurt or insulted by another. The word “adversity” is the Hebrew word meaning “to be in a state of uncomfortableness with a focus on the emotional pain and distress of the situation.” We see that the source of division isn’t the issue but rather the feeling! Family relationships certainly have a more emotional connection than friends which I think is the basis for many an argument.
“Friends on the other hand seem to be more forgiving when it comes to offenses. I am not saying that there has never been a friendship destroyed by an offense: I am saying however, friends seem to have thicker skin!
Unconditional love is the basis of any relationship. Remember Proverbs chapter 3?
“Never let loyalty and kindness leave you! Tie them around your neck as a reminder. Write them deep within your heart.”
Proverbs 3:3 NLT
A friend is truly one who “loves at all times.” There is an important verse that helps us understand the true depth of what Solomon is trying to say.
“I do not call you servants any longer, for the servant does not know what his master is doing; but I have called you [My] friends, because I have revealed to you everything that I have heard from My Father.”
John 15:15 AMP
Despite all of the things we said and did against God, for the joy set before Him He endured the cross. That my friends is unconditional love. You see love is more than a feeling. Yes, love feels good most of the time. The challenge is, “How do we love when we feel unloved?” We see the example of true love demonstrated by Jesus on the cross. That love was willing to suffer great loss so that those who were unloved would some day understand His love! Fair-weather friends come and go in our lives but are those who “stick closer than a brother.” When adversity comes and the storm is beat us down, the true foundation of relationship is tested. In the 18th chapter of Proverbs we read,
“There are “friends” who destroy each other, but a real friend sticks closer than a brother.”
Proverbs 18:24 AMP
Many of us sadly have experienced the reality of this verse. In the midst of our greatest failure or trial, our “friends” have taken advantage of it to destroy us so that they may gain! That fateful day of the cross, Jesus faced a similar decision, “Save My life and loos billions or give my life to save billions?” We all know what choice He made. When celebrating communion, I am always reminded of the verse that speaks about Jesus’ heart for us.
“[looking away from all that will distract us and] focusing our eyes on Jesus, who is the Author and Perfecter of faith [the first incentive for our belief and the One who brings our faith to maturity], who for the joy [of accomplishing the goal] set before Him endured the cross, [b]disregarding the shame, and sat down at the right hand of the throne of God [revealing His deity, His authority, and the completion of His work]. 3Just consider and meditate on Him who endured from sinners such bitter hostility against Himself [consider it all in comparison with your trials], so that you will not grow weary and lose heart.”
Hebrews 12:3-4 AMP
WOW! Do you see it? Jesus didn’t take the emotional road of offense when it came to our sin. His choice was to demonstrate that love is more than a feeling! Have a blessed day, Pastor Ken