What Jesus teaches about Friendship
Introduction
Friendship is a gift – a gift that has been perfectly exemplified by our Savior, Jesus Christ. When His disciples were with Him, He not only taught them but also considered them friends. Let us unpack the wisdom behind the teachings of friendship by Jesus and how we can apply these timeless principles in our lives today.
If you seek a relationship rooted in love, mutual respect, and holiness, then contemplating the teaching of Jesus about friendship will provide you enlightenment. It is an invitation to go deeper into the meaning of true friendship according to our Savior and apply these learnings into our relationships.
Bible Verse
“Greater love has no one than this, that he lay down his life for his friends. You are my friends if you do what I command.” – John 15:13-14
Meaning
With Jesus as our model, friendship is described as a relationship marked by love and sacrifice. The verse from John highlights the depth of the sacrificial love that Christ had for His friends, and by extension, for all of us. Unlike the world’s definition of friends and friendship, Jesus encourages us to show true love by sacrificing for others.
Notably, Jesus defines His friends as people who obey His commandments. It implies that a genuine friendship with Christ is characterized by obedience to His teachings, which inherently promote love and kindness.
Actions to Take
- Show unconditional love and kindness to your friends.
- Be willing to make sacrifices for your friends just as Christ did for us.
- Obey the teachings of Jesus and help your friends do the same.
- Strive to build a relationship with God, for it will guide you in maintaining healthy friendships.
- Remember to forgive, as Jesus forgave His friends and enemies alike.
Journal Prompts
- How can I apply the sacrificial love Jesus showed in my friendships?
- What commandments of Jesus am I practicing in nurturing my friendships?
- Is my friendship with others reflecting my friendship with Jesus?
- How can I encourage my friends to follow the teachings of Jesus?
- Am I willing to forgive, as Jesus did?
Prayer
Dear Heavenly Father, I pray that You give me the heart to love and sacrifice for my friends as Jesus did. May I be obedient to your commands, demonstrating love, kindness, and forgiveness in my friendships. Let these relationships be a reflection of true friendship as envisioned by Your son, Jesus. In Jesus’ name, I pray, Amen.
Social Posts
- “Friendship – It’s about love, sacrifice, and obeying Christ’s commands. #BGodInspiredFriendship”
- “Be a friend like Jesus, show unconditional love and kindness. #ChristLikeFriendship”
- “Aspire to have a friendship that reflects your relationship with God. #GodlyFriendship”
- “Love, sacrifice, forgive – the foundations of a truly Christ-led friendship. #BGodInspired”
- “Let’s nurture friendships rooted in the teachings of Jesus. #BGodInspiredDevotional”
Conclusion
The teachings of Jesus give us a profound and complete understanding of what true friendship means. It challenges us to look beyond our human inclinations and aspire to build relationships rooted in love, sacrifice, obedience, and forgiveness, as modeled by Christ.
As you continue this devotional journey, let these principles guide your friendships. Remember, reflecting Jesus in your relationships is a true testament to your friendship with Him. Stay blessed, inspired, and radiant through our divine friendship with Jesus today and always only here at BGodInspired.com.
Do you want to know more about what Jesus teaches about ANY topic? Then try our What Jesus Teaches GPT. This is a great modern-day companion – simply search any topic and see what Jesus has to say about it.
