Do you want close friends?

The Bible reveals something really cool and powerful: “One who has unreliable friends soon comes to ruin, but there is a friend who sticks closer than a brother.” (Proverbs 18:24, NIV) 

Do you know this level of friendship? 

Four very popular television series have focused on this concept of deep friendships: Happy Days, Friends, Seinfeld, and Cheers. All of these shows focus on the humorous, silly, and zany relationships between friends. We can never forget Fonzie, Kramer, or Jerry. Every character is full of flaws and struggles, but each episode walks us through the tragedies and trials of friends in beautiful ways. Movies like The Sandlot and Mighty Ducks give us a glimpse of something the Bible calls “phileo.”   

When I read 1 Corinthians 13, I can’t help but think of the importance of deep friendships. “Love is patient, love is kind. It does not envy, it does not boast, it is not proud. It does not dishonor others, it is not self-seeking, it is not easily angered, it keeps no record of wrongs. Love does not delight in evil but rejoices with the truth. It always protects, always trusts, always hopes, always perseveres.” (1 Corinthians 13:4-7, NIV)  

Although the love spoken about in Corinthians was agape, it can easily be applied to any of the four types of love described in the Bible: agape, phileo, storge, and eros.

My dad used to tell me when I was young, “Paul, if you have five real friends in life, you’ll be a lucky man.” I didn’t know he would be so right. Deep, lifelong friendships are so rare, and they should be cherished with everything that you’ve got. 

Do you have close and intimate friends? If you do, hallelujah! If not, let’s take a few moments to work on it today. I’d like to give you a few of my Goulet friendship tips:

1. Be a friendly person. “A man who has friends must himself be friendly, But there is a friend who sticks closer than a brother.” (Proverbs 18:24, NKJV)
2. Be a giver and not a taker. “Love is patient, love is kind. It does not envy, it does not boast, it is not proud.” (1 Corinthians 13:4, NIV)  
3. Be a forgiver. “It does not dishonor others, it is not self-seeking, it is not easily angered, it keeps no record of wrongs.” (1 Corinthians 13:5, NIV)  
4. Love unconditionally. “It always protects, always trusts, always hopes, always perseveres.” (1 Corinthians 13:7, NIV)

I believe you can start building lifelong, intimate friendships because you are a miracle.