‘The perfect friend is the one who knows the worst about us and loves us just the same, and there’s only one who loves like this and Jesus is His name’ (CSSM Chorus)
“But when he came to himself, he said, ‘how many of my father’s hired servants have bread enough and to spare, and I perish with hunger! I will arise and go to my father, and will say to him, “Father, I have sinned against heaven and before you, and I am no longer worthy to be called your son. Make me like one of your hired servants” And he arose and came to his father. But when he was still a great way off, his father saw him and had compassion, and ran and fell on his neck and kissed him. And the son said to him “Father, I have sinned against heaven and in your sight and am no longer worthy to be called your son” But the father said to his servants “Bring out the best robe and put it on him, and put a ring on his finger and sandals on his feet. And bring the fatted calf here and kill it, and let us eat and be merry; for this my son was dead and is alive again; he was lost and is found”.
“A friend loves at all times, and a brother is born for adversity”
“A friend is always loyal, and a brother is born to help in time of need”
Note: Proverbs 17:17 lauds faithfulness. Unlike fickle friends, a true friend is constant, and a real brother helps in time of stress. The qualities of a true friend or a beloved brother are best exemplified in the life of the Lord Jesus. A true friend loves at all times – in good circumstances and during times of greatest difficulty or hardship – and Jesus reminded us that the greatest of all love is expressed when a friend is prepared to give up his own life for that of his friend – or to forgo his own desires and needs for the sake of his dearly beloved friend.
Knockholt Evangelical Church 