In a world of followers and likes, friendship has become a numbers game. We scroll through hundreds of names, send heart emojis, and share memes — but still feel unseen. We’re more connected than ever, yet real friendship seems harder to find.
So, what does true friendship even look like anymore? And can the gospel teach us something deeper — something lasting — about how to show up for each other?
Scripture offers us a powerful picture of friendship that goes beyond convenience or shared hobbies. Jesus says in John 15:13, “Greater love has no one than this: to lay down one’s life for one’s friends.”
This isn’t casual coffee chat friendship. This is sacrificial, intentional, covenantal friendship. It’s the kind of love Jesus modelled when He knelt beside sinners, cried with the grieving, and gave His life — not just for followers, but for friends.
Even the Old Testament gives us glimpses of this — think Jonathan and David. Jonathan didn’t just cheer David on from afar. He risked his life to protect him, stood by him in hardship, and rejoiced in his calling, even when it cost him his own future crown (1 Samuel 18–20).
Let’s be honest — most friendships today are built on convenience. We’re friends if we agree, as long as it’s easy, as long as it benefits us. But the Gospel calls us to something richer: friendship that reflects God’s covenantal love.
What does that look like?
- Being present even when it’s uncomfortable.
- Speaking the truth in love, not just telling people what they want to hear (Ephesians 4:15).
- Celebrating other’s success instead of competing.
- Forgiving quickly, remembering we’ve been forgiven much (Colossians 3:13).
Real friendship isn’t about being perfect — it’s about choosing to show up, again and again, in grace and to show grace.
If your friendships feel shallow or strained, you’re not alone. But the Gospel gives us both Hope and the Model. You don’t have to be the “fun one” or the “wise one” — you just need to be the present one. The grace-giving one. The one who listens, loves, and leads others gently back to truth.
Ask yourself:
- Who is God calling me to be a better friend to this week?
- Am I building friendships that reflect the heart of Jesus — or just the patterns of the world?
Friendship is not just a gift — it’s a calling. And in Jesus, we see the truest Friend of all. He doesn’t ghost us, judge us, or forget us. He walks with us, speaks truth to us, and loves us — even to the cross.
May we reflect that kind of friendship, in a world desperately searching for the real thing.
“A friend loves at all times…” – Proverbs 17:17
Listen to what a friend we have in Jesus, Shalom.
