The real context of being a friend

We all have friends, right? or least one? 

Each of us have different qualifications before we consider a person our friend.  

I remember a small conversation with my friend - Jonathan (a former colleague - we've been in the same company for five years) about friendship. I was surprised when he told me that we he never considered me as his friend but simply a colleague who happens to be in the same team and office sharing life's ups and downs. There's no problem with me and I respect his view of our relationship.

Like Jonathan, if not all but most of us; We categorize or label our friends depending on what kind of relationship we have with them. Best friends, school friends, office friends, church friends, etc. that's how we categorized our friends.

But have you thought about, how our friends categorize us? do they treat us the way they do to them? do we belong to the same category as they to us? In short, what kind of friend are we them?

Whenever I talk or I'm in a conversation about friendship, Proverbs 17:17 always comes to my mind where it says "A friend loves at all times..." It may sound simple but the meaning is profound and I think this is the only verse in the Bible that define what is a friend -- literally? 

In that case, the Bible does not label friends or friendship. It does not set boundaries, it does not categorized. The definition is general and applicable to all.  

A friend loves at all times. It is the same person we are with, lovingly and objectively criticizing us but godly supporting us in all aspect of our lives. 

Hmm.. asked yourself, do I have these qualities? If Yes, then good, but up to what extent you can consider to be a friend to your friends? 

I tried asking two of my friends.
My guy friend responded that there's a limitation when in it comes to money  (however, I wasn't able clarify from him if there's a limitation on the amount or he cannot be a friend when it comes to money). While my girl friend told me that as long as she'll never make a lie to someone.

Being a friend, it our responsibility to love our friends at all times as Jesus did to us. 

"Greater love has no one than this, that someone lay down his life for his friends. You are my friends if you do what I command you. No longer do I call you servants, for the servant does not know what his master is doing; but I have called you friends, for all that I have heard from my Father I have made known to you. You did not choose me, but I chose you and appointed you that you should go and bear fruit and that your fruit should abide, so that whatever you ask the Father in my name, he may give it to you. These things I command you, so that you will love one another." John 15:13-17

To God Be The Glory.

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Thank You and God bless.