Article February 15, 1988 Issue

A spiritual foundation for friendship

When we put God first in our lives, we will be better friends to others.

Dorcas W. Strong

Christ Jesus taught his disciples that spiritual love is the foundation of true friendship. "This is my commandment," he said, "That ye love one another, as I have loved you .... Ye are my friends, if ye do whatsoever I command you. Henceforth I call you not servants; for the servant knoweth not what his lord doeth: but I have called you friends; for all things that I have heard of my Father I have made known unto you."^{John 15:12, 14, 15.} And so we today, through obedience to the Master's command, find that Christ, Truth, becomes our friend.

How comforting it is to think of God, divine Principle, Love, as with us constantly. He is the source and maintainer of all we really are. God never disappoints, disillusions, or forsakes us. His ear is always open to our prayers, and His arm is outstretched to strengthen us. We can trust in His care, rely on His constancy, and depend on His love.

By loving and honoring God first and foremost, we establish a basis for harmonious relations with others. This is vividly illustrated in the Biblical story of Jonathan and David.^{See I Sam., chaps. 18–20 .}

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