A friend is one who sticks closer than a brother.  If he tells us he will show up at a particular time or do a certain favor, we can count on it.  If we are in pain or if we are going through disappointments we are two people strong because he experiences our adversities right along with us in his heart.

We have all had people in our lives who are quick to tell us they are friends.  They are our best buddies when there is something they can gain from us.  Yet when we need them they are never available.  There are a multitude of excuses why they cannot follow through or they totally forget.  These people were never our friends at all and it’s best to put these people on our prayer list and move on to other friends.

There is one more type of friend.  His name is Jesus.  He is loyal to His word.  Our problems are His problems and our pain is His pain.  We are in all things together.  When we call upon Him for things in our lives that are 911 emergencies He responds with His own 991.  991 means He leaves the 99 to minister to us.  There is no greater friend than Jesus and He will reveal to us the ones in our lives who are sincere.  Jesus takes all friendships seriously because there is no greater love than that of Jesus Christ.

John 15:12-13  New Living Translation

This is my commandment:  Love each other in the same way I have loved you.  There is no greater love than to lay down one’s life for one’s friends.