Second Friend Day - Elmer Towns

GOD'S FRIENDSHIP
God's friendship is forever, even when some of our friends fail us or leave us.
Perhaps the lesson to be learned is that "there is a friend that sticketh close than a
brother” (Proverbs 18:24). Jesus Christ has always been our friend and will always be
the same (Rev. 1:8). In the Great Commission, He has promised, "Lo, I am with you
alway" (Matthew 28:20). Abraham was not perfect; he failed God in many ways. But
God called him His friend. Jesus says the same thing about us: "I call you not servants...
but I have called you friends" (John 15:15). Jesus is a friend forever. We cannot lose
eternal life, nor can we lose our relationship with Him. Paul asked the question, "Who
shall separate us from the love of Christ?" (Romans 8:35). He mentions several things
that shall not separate us from God, "nor height, nor depth, nor any other creature, shall
be able to separate us from the love of God, which is in Christ Jesus our Lord” (Romans
8:39). Since Jesus Christ sticks closer than a brother, He spans time and distance to help
us in our times of distress.
3. Blood is thicker than water. This third myth deals with the intensity of
our relationships. Some think that our relatives are closer than our friends. This may be
true for some people, but it is not true for many others. Why? Because involuntary
friendships are not forced, but we are stuck with our relatives and have to live with them.
Some family members never forget our mistakes. They remember the dumb
things we did as a small child, the time we got fired, and the courses we flunked in
school. And they never let us forget about it, nor do they let anyone else forget. In
contrast, friends have selective memories. They forget about our mistakes because our
successes are more important. They are friends because of our strengths. Our friends
make us feel good about ourselves; they let us grow. However, families neither let us
grow, nor do they let us go.
GOD'S FRIENDSHIP
God's friendship is stronger than family ties or earthly friendships. The Gospel
hymn "Just As I Am" describes our relationship with Him: "Just as I am without one plea,
but that Thou blood was shed for me..." God accepts us as we are, alienated sinners, and
makes us what we should be.
In God's family, we are both relatives and friends. First, we are regenerated as
His children: "But as many as received him, to them gave he power to become the sons of
God, even to them that believe on his name" (John 1:12). Next, we are adopted as sons.
This means we are given the legal right of being in God's family with all the privileges
this implies (see Romans 8:14-17). Finally, we are accepted as friends, for Jesus said,
"Ye are my friends, if ye do whatsoever I command you" (John 15:14).
4. A friend in need is a friend indeed. The meaning of this fourth myth is
that our friends always come to our rescue when we need them. But that is not always
true. Some do, while others cannot be counted on.
When can a friend not help us? Sometimes when we need money, or other times
when we ask them to do something they cannot do. When we go beyond the limits of
friendship, we strain the relationship until it breaks. On other occasions, our need is too
lengthy. There were two secretaries in an office who were good friends. One had