IV. How will God carry you through to being a good friend?

1. Jesus always lives to intercede for them. Heb 7:25
2. And I will do whatever you ask for in my name. John 14:13
3. The Counselor, the Spirit of truth will be in you. I will not leave you as orphans; I will come to you. John 14:16-18
4. The Spirit of truth will guide you into all truth. John 16:13
5. The Spirit intercedes for the saints in accordance with God's will. Romans 8:27
6. Jesus says, "My sheep listen to my voice; I know them, and they follow me. I give them eternal life, and they shall never perish; no one can snatch them out of my hand. My Father, who has given them to me, is greater than all; no one can snatch them out of my Father's hand. I and the Father are one." John 10:27-30
7. And my God will fully supply all your needs according to His glorious riches in Christ Jesus. Phil 4:19

say "No" to ungodliness and worldly passions, and to live self-controlled, upright and godly lives in this present age, Titus 2:12

Do not conform any longer to the pattern of this world, but be transformed by the renewing of your mind. Then you will be able to test and approve what God's will is--his good, pleasing and perfect will. Rom 1:2

God gives us advice on picking friends -

1. Advice from God's Word -
   A righteous man is cautious in friendship, Prov 12:26
   The pleasantness of one's friend springs from his earnest counsel. Pv 27:9

Wounds from a friend can be trusted, Pv 27:6
Do not forsake your friend and the friend of your father, - better a neighbor nearby than a brother far away. Pv 27:10
A friend loves at all times, and a brother is born for adversity. Pv 17:17

2. Warning -
   An unfriendly man pursues selfish ends; he defies all sound judgment. Pv 18:1

Do not make friends with a hot-tempered man, Pv 22:24
Gossip separates close friends. Pv 16:28

He who covers over an offense promotes love, but whoever repeats the matter separates close friends. Pv 17:9

3. Speaking of Jesus as a friend - He who loves a pure heart and whose speech is gracious will have the king for his friend. Pv 22:11
   A man of many companions may come to ruin, but there is a friend who sticks closer than a brother. Pv 18:24

If you have any encouragement from being united with Christ, if any comfort from his love, if any fellowship with the Spirit, if any tenderness and compassion, then make my joy complete by being like-minded, having the same love, being one in spirit and purpose. Do nothing out of selfish ambition or vain conceit, but in humility consider others better than yourselves. Each of you should look not only to your own interests, but also to the interests of others. Phil 2:1-4 My purpose is that they may be encouraged in heart and united in love, so that they may have the full riches of complete understanding, in order that they may know the mystery of God, namely, Christ, in whom are hidden all the treasures of wisdom and knowledge. Col 2:2,3 Therefore encourage one another and build each other up, just as in fact you are doing. 1Thess 5:11

This is a basket of tools that help me be a good friend. Some to these you'll recognize. God has use for these things too!

Well, what else am I to bring to care for my friend -

This study was written by CSB. All rights reserved and copyrighted. Copy permission is granted only if distributed in its entirety and with no alterations. Bless the Lord, O my soul: and all that is within me, bless His Holy Name. Ps 103:1