There is a friend...

Last term in school I took a "religion" class on Friendship. In it I learned that people have different views of what and why they have friendships. Aristotle describes three types of friendships:

1. Friendships of utility
2. Friendships of pleasure
3. Friendships of virtue

Number one describes a friend you have only for the connections or what you can get out of them.
Number two describes lovers, loving someone because it feels good to you.
Number three speaks of being friends with someone who has common goals.
   "Iron sharpening iron."--Proverbs 27

While there are different levels of friendships, I think the Bible gives us what the main point of any friendship should be:

Greater love has no one than this, that he lay down his life for his friends. You are my friends if you do what I command. I no longer call you servants, because a servant does not know his master's business. Instead, I have called you friends, for everything that I learned from my Father I have made known to you.

                                                      (John 15:13-15).

Friendships aren't what you can get out of it, but what you can give. If you're looking to make friends, become someone's friend.
A true friend helps each other. Helping doesn't mean you lie for them or look over all their sins. It means you encourage each other to be righteous.

What if your friend harms you? Or stops being your friend? Friendships are often up and down. I've heard it said that you have only two options: either growing closer or falling apart. God wants us to give up all our friendships to Him. If we're relying on our friends for everything (a comforting ear, a meal, etc.) instead of Christ then our friendships are doomed. The only thing in life that is certain is God, not your best friend you had when you were six.
   On the flip side, friendship is a precious ointment and a safeguard against evil. Surround yourself with good friends and you will grow spiritually. Just remember, friendships are the Lord's. He may break them to recreate them, or to let someone be another person's friend. Sometimes all you can do is pray, but that is what friendship is, it never stops hoping.