I don't know if I do yet. I mentioned that Mark Driscoll's sermon sparked that thought for me. More specifically, he referenced Jesus' relationships as a basis for evaluating our relationships/friendships.
Jesus had the three friends - Peter, James and John - which were deep, intimate friends. He allowed them places others were not allowed (like bringing him with him to heal Jairus' daughter in Luke 8), asked for much of them (like staying close to him the final hours before his trial and crucifixion), and showed them more (Elijah and Moses). He also told Peter that he was saying things of Satan - when's the last time you told a GOOD, DEAR friend that they were saying something of Satan?
Jesus also had the twelve, the seventy, and the crowds. The bottom line of Driscoll is that Jesus was not, on earth, super close with everyone. He loved everyone, yes, but was not bosom buddies with all.
So why do we try to be? We have facebook which classifies everyone as a "friend." Often, we have a broad meaning of friendship that encompasses many more people and makes the friendships much more shallow. There is a difference between loving others as brothers and sisters and committing to being their friend - I believe that friendship calls for a deeper and sturdier commitment.
But that's just me, and this is very much in process. But I'd like to challenge you - how do you define a friend or the concept of friendship? How do you know if someone is a friend as opposed to an acquaintance?
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