Why Friendship Isn't Working Today
Friendship is one form of relationship which many in our society today desire but cannot seem to get a handle on. The reasons are numerous, but a few will suffice here: First, there are those we can call 'fair-weather' friends. These people generally hang around you when the going is good. But when the going gets tough and rough, they are off 'faster than the speed of light!'

Then, there are some people who are around you for what they can get, but not what they can give. The moment they perceive that you may want to ask a favour of them, they are off too, 'faster than the speed of light!'.

And then there are people who will hang around you because they believe that if they do, they will be seen as part of the 'in-crowd', the 'with-it group' or the 'happening group'. When, however, they come across another person or group that they believe will further advance their cause (whatever that may be), they will dump you like a hot potato and move on to the next 'happening' person or group!

Then again, there are those we call 'friends' who are people we met outside of our family circles: in school, at church, through other friends or groups, etc. We only meet with them outside?at parties, in the park, etc.?but never in their homes. We can't really say that we know them deeply, and so, it becomes difficult to trust them. Today, there are people in trouble with the law, who are serving prison terms because they accompanied someone they thought they knew as a friend, only to find themselves deep in the center of criminal activity!

Finally, there are those we meet online through social media platforms and chatrooms. One really wonders how well we can know people we meet online. Some of these online meets have turned out to be con artists, rapists, and even murderers!

The Result of Nonfunctional Friendship
For these reasons, and many more, human society is rapidly becoming artificial; almost plastic, without any meaningful long-lasting relationships! Ours is fast becoming a society of introverts, where everyone keeps to themselves, and unable to freely express themselves to other people for fear of being bullied, violated, scorned, scoffed at, or even offending others. Gone are the days when you said, "How are you?" and you really meant it and wanted to know how they were! You don't really know what you would say these days that would set someone into a murderous rage! Consequently, some people have been maimed, traumatized, imprisoned, and even murdered by people they called 'friends'. Others have ended up in gangs and cults just so that they can have friends and belong to the 'with-it group' in school or in the neighbourhood. But the Bible warns against friendship of this sort when it says, "My son, those who love to do wrong will try to trick you. Don't listen to them. They will say, "Come with us. Let's hide and beat to death anyone who happens to walk by. We will swallow them whole, as the grave swallows the dying. We will take everything they have and fill our houses with stolen goods. So join us, and you can share everything we get." My son, don't follow them. Don't even take the first step along that path. They run to do something evil, and they cannot wait to kill someone. You cannot trap birds with a net if they see you spreading it out. But evil people cannot see the trap they set for themselves. This is what happens to those who are greedy. Whatever they get destroys them." (Proverbs 1:10-19, ERV)

There is a true friend regardless!
These bad experiences in friendship notwithstanding, there is a friend I would like you to meet. He is my friend, and we've been friends now for well over 25 years. When you meet him, you will find what you have been looking for all this while in a true friend.

Let me tell you some things about Him
First, He is a friend who sticks closer than a brother (Proverbs 18:24). He is not a 'fair weather' friend. When He becomes your friend it is truly 'friends forever'!

Secondly, he is a friend who desires the best for others, so much so that he gave up His life for his friends. Have you ever heard of the saying: "Greater love hath no man than this, that a man lay down his life for his friends" (John 15:13, KJV)? It is a statement He made and He actually did just that?He died for all of humanity and rose again from the dead never to die again!

Thirdly, He is quite selective of those he really calls His friends. While He would want everyone to be friends with Him, yet He is intolerant of hypocrites?people who are not what they seem to project. He is also not fond of people who are there just for the ride?the moment there is trouble, they vanish. In fact, in John 2:23-25, it is said of Him that he did not commit Himself to people who were around Him because of miracles or for what they can get, because he knows all men, and does not need anyone to give Him a recommendation on anybody. He knows those who are committed to Him, as He knows those who are not! So, you cannot pull 'the wool over His eyes'!

Fourthly, he knows everyone intimately. He knows your deepest fears and your unspoken thoughts (Psalm 139:1-12). He knows you inside-out, yet He is willing to have this friendship regardless of how bad you may have been, provided you are willing to change. He is willing to take care of your fears, worries, and anxieties if you will only trust him!

He Offers More Than Friendship
Understandably, many people have been disappointed by those they trusted in time past, but with this special friend, things will be different! He is more than a friend; He is a father and a brother. Usually, the relationships you can really rely on is family?father, mother, husband, wife, brother, or sister. The beautiful thing about this unique friend is that with Him, friendship is more than just knowing someone casually; it is family. So, the Bible tells us that, "He purifies people from their sins, and both he and those who are made pure all have the same Father. That is why Jesus is not ashamed to call them his family." (Hebrews 2:11, GNB). For Him, friendship is family and all who come to Him He accepts into His family. So, orphans are welcome, as are widows and widowers, and even the destitute?all can find a home with Him!

Who Then is This Friend?
Of course, He is Jesus Christ, the Son of the living God. He made the heavens and the earth! It is said of Him, "In the beginning was the Word, and the Word was with God, and the Word was God. The same was in the beginning with God. All things were made by him; and without him was not any thing made that was made." (John 1:1-3, KJV). He made all things, including you, yet He wants friendship with you. Isn't that awesome?

He is a very present help in time of trouble (Psalm 46:1). He died so that those who come to Him for friendship can be saved, purified, and live forever (John 3:16; 1 Peter 1:2). He gave up his life so that his friends can live eternally and not end up in the damnation of hell!

Are You in Need of a Friend?
We are not talking about just any friend, but this special and unique friend. Then come and join me in my friendship with Him. I have known Him for over twenty-five years now. Before I met Him, my life was a complete mess and heading for the rocks. But since I met Him, He has delivered me from alcoholism, and many other shameful vices. He has given me a life that is worth living and the assurance of eternal life deep within me. Once you become a part of His family, your life will no longer be the same?I guarantee you. Things may still be rough and tough, but you can rest assured that He will not desert you nor abandon you. Even when you occasionally fall back into sin, He picks you up and cleans you up, provided you admit to the error and not try to camouflage it with self-pity and self-justification. Indeed, it is at such times that the true value of this friendship shines forth. But remember, He is not interested in 'fair-weather' friends, 'meet-all-my-needs' friends, the 'with-it' friends, or faceless, online friends; He is interested in those who will stick with Him through thick and thin because that's His trademark!

Are You Interested?
He is available 24/7 and can be contacted at all times and from anywhere?no mobile phone required; no email account required; no postal stamps required; no text messaging required. Only a quiet talk with Him in the privacy of your room or even in your heart! Just ask Him to be your friend, and let Him know you have been living a life of sin, and no longer want to live that life anymore. That's it, and He will come and have a chat with you, and be with you from then on.

How Will You Know This Has Taken Place?
There will be a calm and peace in your heart or mind, and a new-found joy in you that glows outward. Those who have known you before now will wonder if you are the same person! One other observation you'll notice is that you will no longer want to do those sinful things you used to want to do. You will discover that you are now free from the oppression of sin and its evil influence. My prayer for you is that you will seize this opportunity and come to Jesus now! Have a blessed day!

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