The need to value relationships has once again come under close scrutiny as the bedrock of connections and lasting friendship both with God and man.
This was part of the message delivered to mark the 2019 Friendship Sunday at Rhema Chapel International Churches, Port Harcourt. Speaking on the topic, Characteristics of Good Friends, the Chapel Administrator of the ministry, Minister Wale Pirisola, noted that man essentially needed friendship and relationship to advance in life, but the best friendship and relationship remains with Jesus Christ.
He urged the congregation to always endeavour to put in their best in whatever they do in relation to friendship as this could turn out to be their best connection in life.
Regarding relationship and friendship with the Maker, he opined that a true friend of God is consumed by his zeal for God. He cited the Samaritan Woman’s encounter with Jesus, who upon receiving revelation from the Lord went about town, introducing many to Jesus.
The chapel administrator emphasized that the Doctrine of Trinity, gives a glimpse of the foundation of relationship model in the form of God the Father, the Son and the Holy Spirit who remains bounded as one entity.
He also pointed out that, unlike the earthly relationships involving marriage and parent-child connections, only a true friendship and relationship with God would lead the faithful to eternity. According to him, there is the need for Christians in particular to make good friends, as well as make friends for God, this he reasoned would not only ensure peace of mankind. He added that overall, Christians need to define who their close friends are.
According to him, characteristics of good friends include loyalty,a friends’s ability to protect your reputation and that of the church, apart from receiving a timely help where others would decline support at critical times.
He stated that, spiritually, there are benefits of having Jesus based on his sacrifices for humanity which include dying for the sins of mankind as a friend , his promises to be with believers in difficult times, as he drew example from the Book of John 11:24-28, apart from Jesus ability to ensure true freedom.
