Proverbs 18:24 A man that has friends must show himself friendly: and there is a friend that sticks closer than a brother.

Christ is the truest friend of all. This deeper, unwavering kind of friendship finds its perfect fulfilment in Jesus Christ. He is not just a Saviour and Lord, but also the most faithful and compassionate friend anyone could ever have.

He said: “Greater love hath no man than this, that a man lay down his life for his friends” (John 15:13). And He didn’t just speak these words, He lived them. He laid down His life on the cross, not merely for the righteous but for sinners, outcasts, and those who had nothing to offer in return (Rom. 5:8). He is the friend of the weary, the comforter of the brokenhearted, the companion of the lonely, and the rescuer of the lost. While human friends may sometimes fail, forget, or forsake, Christ remains, always present, always faithful.

When others flee in your hour of need, He stays. When the world judges or abandons, He forgives and draws near. When your strength fails, He carries you. When you are unloved, He loves you perfectly. He is not just a friend who sticks closer than a brother; He is the Friend who does so with divine love, unshakable loyalty, and eternal grace.

A man who wants friends must show himself friendly, building bonds through kindness and hospitality. Yet even the best human friendships can falter. But in Jesus Christ, we have the truest Friend, One who never leaves us, who bore our burdens, and who walks with us through every joy and sorrow. He is the Friend who sticks closer than a brother, now and forever.

Proverbs 18:24 A man that has friends must show himself friendly: and there is a friend that sticks closer than a brother.

Friendship is not something that exists by default; it must be cultivated. A person who desires to have and keep friends must invest in those relationships through kindness, generosity, loyalty, and mutual care. In biblical times, maintaining friendship often included acts of hospitality, such as sharing meals, offering comfort, and celebrating life’s blessings together. Friendship thrives where there is genuine affection and consistent effort. Take heed of the warning against friendship with the world, for it is strictly forbidden. Such alliances offer no lasting benefit, only trouble and spiritual loss (1Jn. 2:15-17).

But the proverb draws a contrast: while earthly friendships may sometimes depend on social customs or mutual benefit, there exists a different kind of friend, one whose loyalty goes deeper than even the bonds of blood. A friend who “sticks closer than a brother” is someone who does not leave in times of trouble, who remains when others walk away, and who loves without condition.

To be continued…