BUT YOU HAVE A FRIEND … not like Jonadab


BUT YOU HAVE A FRIEND … not like Jonadab


 

But Amnon had a friend called Jonadab. Words are fast losing their true meaning everywhere; words are freely used but sadly misunderstood, misconstrued and misapplied.


One such word that has been butchered into meaninglessness by this reckless, unserious and self-destruct generation is LOVE and FRIENDSHIP.

 


WHO IS A FRIEND?

He/she is one who may not be a biological family, whose company you enjoy and shares some level of affection.

 

AMNON HAD A FRIEND (2SAM 13:3)

Hell today is filled with friends, who once professed intimacy but are biting, kicking, fighting and cursing each other in unquenchable fire.

A couple of years ago, a friend so-called lured his friend to his hometown under the pretext that he was taking a chieftaincy title. The unexpected friend never knew that his host had planned to use him for ritual sacrifice. He escaped death only by mercies of God.

Amnon was the first born of king David. He had been brought up by godly parents. He was a privileged young man, the crown prince of Israel and heir to the throne of David. He had great potentials and his future was bright, but his undoing was his friend and confidant subtle cousin called Jonadab. He seemed to love his more privileged cousin prince Amnon very much but that love was false, just to cover up for deep-seated envy and jealousy. Amnon succeeded in sleeping with his sister because of Jonadab’s evil counsel but never recovered from the consequence. Last time in Nigeria we heard of a retired military officer’s daughter that was brutally murdered in a hotel room by her facebook friends. Destinies has been destroyed, dreams shattered, homes broken, etc. by the negative effects of so called friends.  

 

 BUT YOU HAVE A FRIEND

Your friend should have some attributes of your personality. Therefore your friend defines you. He/she should withstand you or resist you when you are straying, Rebuke and not betray you, strengthen you and not feed your weakness, a builder and not a bulldozer. The Bile painted a very good picture of a good friend in Luke 11:5-7. For God so loved the world (you) that he gave his Son…(John 3:16). He loves you just the way you are but hates the sin in you and wants to help you out. John 3:17 says :  For God sent not his Son into the world to condemn the world;  but that the world through him might be saved.   (Matt. 9:10-13, , John 15:15, Acts 2:21). Jesus Christ laid down his life for you because he consider you a friend (John 15:13).

Jesus Christ is the best friend the world will ever have. His words are true, his love genuine, He cares more than you can ever imagine. He is extending his hand of love and friendship to you, only if you can believe in him (James 2:23)

What is your decision today?


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