Part 1
Proverbs 18:24 KJV
[24] A man that hath friends must shew himself friendly: and there is a friend that sticketh closer than a brother.
I often close conversations with Proverbs 18:24, to remind myself and others of the importance of having friends. Friendships come in various levels, from short-term casual contact, to lifelong intimate relationships.
We sometimes use the word friend very loosely, even casually as a greeting. Many believe that friendship in the best sense is lifelong to the extent that both parties involved would die for each other.
Accepting all that, we occasionally hear of someone making the ultimate sacrifice for another person, even a casual stranger. Sometimes one person might sacrifice themselves for a stranger on an impulse, or a soldier might give themselves for a brother born in the adversity of duty.
We often refer to this type of self-sacrifice as heroic. An older person who has lived a full life might lay down their life for a younger person who has not lived a full life. Under the right circumstances, even a criminal might die for another criminal. Most types of people have friends that run in the same circles as themselves and even thieves form some type of friendly bond. Yet not everyone would die for anyone.
Regarding dying for a friend, the famous American writer and humorist Mark Twain said:
"The trouble is not in dying for a friend, but in finding a friend worth dying for."
If we knew every deed, every thought, even every ungodly sin committed by a person would we still count them worthy of dying for?
Jesus Christ knows every deed, every thought, even every ungodly sin you have committed, yet he died for you anyway. Here is what the Bible says about Jesus’ sacrifice for YOU.
Romans 5:6-7 KJV
[6] For when we were yet without strength, in due time Christ died for the ungodly. [7] For scarcely for a righteous man will one die: yet peradventure for a good man some would even dare to die. 5:8. [8] But God commendeth his love toward us, in that, while we were yet sinners, Christ died for us.