John 15:9-17
“As the Father has loved me, so have I loved you. Now remain in my love. If you keep my commands, you will remain in my love, just as I have kept my Father’s commands and remain in his love. I have told you this so that my joy may be in you and that your joy may be complete. My command is this: Love each other as I have loved you. Greater love has no one than this: to lay down one’s life for one’s friends. You are my friends if you do what I command. I no longer call you servants, because a servant does not know his master’s business. Instead, I have called you friends, for everything that I learned from my Father I have made known to you. You did not choose me, but I chose you and appointed you so that you might go and bear fruit—fruit that will last—and so that whatever you ask in my name the Father will give you. This is my command: Love each other."
1. Becoming a good friend
John 15:9
“As the Father has loved me, so have I loved you. Now remain in my love."
John 15:11
"I have told you this so that my joy may be in you and that your joy may be complete."
John 15:15
"I no longer call you servants, because a servant does not know his master’s business. Instead, I have called you friends, for everything that I learned from my Father I have made known to you."
2. Following a healthy friendship code-
John 15:12
"My command is this: Love each other as I have loved you."
John 15:14
"You are my friends if you do what I command."
1. Good friends are dependable. The bad ones are fair-weather friends.
Proverbs 17:17
“A friend loves at all times, and a brother is born for adversity.”
2. Good friends are honest about their sins. Bad friends hide it.
Proverbs 28:13
“Whoever conceals his transgressions will not prosper, but he who confesses and forsakes them will obtain mercy.”
3. Good friends are trustworthy. Bad friends are gossips.
Proverbs 16:28
“A dishonest man spreads strife, and a whisperer separates close friends.”
4. Good friends lovingly confront. Bad friends are spiritual wimps.
Proverbs 27:6
A wise brother confronts our sin. “Faithful are the wounds of a friend, profuse are the kisses of an enemy”
5. Good friends know when to cut you slack. Bad friends have a “cop mentality.”
Proverbs 17:9
“Whoever covers an offense seeks love, but he who repeats a matter separates close friends.”
6. Good friends are realists. Bad friends are foolishly cheery.
Proverbs 25:20
“Whoever sings songs to a heavy heart is like one who takes off a garment on a cold day, and like vinegar on soda”
7. Good friends focus on your heart. Bad friends see only the surface.
Proverbs 20:5
“The purpose in a man’s heart is like deep water, but a man of understanding will draw it out.”
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