The Bible Edge
Everyone needs an Edge, Believers can have the Bible Edge
Proverbs 18:24
A man that hath friends must shew himself friendly: and there is a friend that sticketh closer than a brother.
There is no better source of advice for interpersonal relationships than the Bible. The entirety of God’s Word is filled with stories, recommendations, wisdom, and even direct commands that serve to give an Edge to anyone when it comes to their relationships with others. Interpersonal relationships begin with being friendly. Much is said in Scripture about friendship, but the foundation is found in today’s verse.
If a person is to have friends, they must be friendly. That is the Bible Edge on the matter. Friendly individuals make friends. In a world filled with friends in cyberspace only, with the easy action of “unfriending” someone, and the self-serving nature of fake friendship, it seems that some clear Bible teaching on friends and friendship is needed now more than ever. Today let’s deal with the first part of today’s verse. Tomorrow, Lord willing, the second.
To make friends, be friendly. Friends can be made, they can be lost, and they can grow distant. Usually, the cause of all these is the matter of both being friendly. Typically, when we think of making friends it is considered from only one side. Thoughts like, “If I want that person to be my friend, I must be friendly.” This is true and it is highlighted in today’s verse. But, however, for true friendship to be forged, both must exhibit friendliness.
All in all, however, any person that has friends are those who are at the first friendly. Rich people may have many who act as their friends because they are rich. They can be a grouch and still have those who pretend to be their friends, the same with famous, and powerful people. But true friendship is earned through mutual friendliness.
Want an edge on the competition, want an edge in life, want an edge in your relationships with others; just be friendly. Be friendly when in a hurry, when in doubt, when in difficulties, when meeting someone for the first time, when seeing someone after a long absence, even when they are not friendly in return. By doing so, you will have friends. After all, that is the Bible Edge on the matter.
William Howe, Ph.D.