There are multiple forms of love described in the Bible. The best way to organize these types of love is based on the Greek words used for them: eros for romantic love, storge for familial love, agape for the unconditional love that God has for us, and then philia for the love that is shared between believers, like siblings or close friends.
With most of our culture focusing on romantic love, it can be easy to lose sight of the other types of loving relationships that God can bless us with. Friendship is highly regarded in the Bible, something that we should not overlook or forget to invest in.
What does the Bible say about friendship?
One of the best references for the love we are supposed to have for our friends was what Jesus said in John 15:12-13:
“This is My commandment, that you love one another, just as I have loved you. Greater love has no one than this, that one lay down his life for his friends.”
Then in Colossians 3:12-13, Paul outlines how we are all called to love one another practically: “So, as those who have been chosen of God, holy and beloved, put on a heart of compassion, kindness, humility, gentleness and patience; bearing with one another, and forgiving each other, whoever has a complaint against anyone; just as the Lord forgave you, so also should you.”
Qualities of a good friend
A good friend…
Is self-sacrificing of their needs and wants
Treats others with compassion, gentleness, and patience
Does not view themselves as more important than others
Is forgiving of their friends
Look over these four main tenets of a Christian friend and ask the Lord to reveal where you can improve. Prayerfully meditate on these verses and remain open to listen to what the Holy Spirit tells you to work on.
Your friendship with your Muslim friend
Friendship is a gift from God that we should not take for granted. We have the power to lift people up and support them, but also the power to hurt them deeply if we are a bad friend.
When you are with your Muslim neighbor, are you acting like a true friend with them? Do you view them as a friend at all, or just a person to evangelize to?
It is important in your friendship with your Muslim friend to maintain proper emotional boundaries since they are not led by the Holy Spirit or biblical values. However, these boundaries do not mean that you can’t have a loving friendship with them if you remember the guidance from the verses we read above.
Ask yourself how you can be a better friend to your Muslim neighbor. For ideas on connecting with your friend, we have a collection of blogs written specifically for you:
Prayer
Dear Lord, thank you for the opportunity to be a friend to my Muslim neighbor. Please help me to remember what your Word says about friendship so that I can be a better friend every day. Amen.
