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“Love is patient, love is kind. It does not envy, it does not boast, it is not proud. It is not rude, it is not self-seeking, it is not easily angered, it keeps no record of wrongs. Love does not delight in evil but rejoices with the truth. It always protects, always trusts, always hopes, always perseveres.” 1 Corinthians 13:4–7
Rather than faddish methods for friendship, the Bible gives basic, ageless instruction on how to live in community in a way that honors God.
There is no impatience, envy, rudeness or selfishness in love, but rather it is characterized by humility, forgiveness and trust.
Friendship usually starts off so well – you have common interests, you have fun together, you just click. Often we don’t stop to think about the elements that make up a godly friendship. Yet most of us have experienced the breakdown of a friendship. Thus we need the truth from God’s Word to teach us how to love.
Romans 12:9–21 provides basic principles that can be applied to every relationship in our lives:
Be sincere
Reject what is evil
Cling to what is good
Be faithful
Share
Be hospitable
Never return an unkind deed with an unkind deed
Be happy with those who are happy
Be sad with those who are sad
Get along
Don’t be arrogant
Be a friend to someone regardless of his or her position or status
Don’t take revenge, but trust God to look after you
As we put these principles into action, we will become friends who know how to love.
God, I want to be that kind of person. Teach me how to love like You love.
Questions: Which principle stands out to you today? What is one thing you could change in the way you interact with your friends?
About this Author: Suzanne Benner
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