Because friendship’s intent is to be more than just the list of names on a social networking site, a tangible view of friendship should destroy any semblance of a false communal identity. So let’s remove this idea of friendship being a fad. Lets show the world that our friendships are gifts in Christ and the community He grants us has a purpose. But what is the purpose? What can friendship mean apart from people with similar goals and interests?

True friends stab you in the front

…according to a popular rock band.

Now this isn’t to say that we should all walk around with switchblades waiting to shank our buddies when they beat us at Halo. What this displays is vastly more important.

Friendship should echo Christ’s love through classmates and be sung among co-workers. It is a voice that encourages, a hand that defends, and a judgment that corrects. It is the wall between us and our next fix.

Paul describes the Church, the ultimate community of friends, in 1 Corinthians 12 as a harmony synonymous with our own body, with eyes seeing and ears hearing, legs running and arms grasping. Friendship means that we should live for others as Christ died for us. True friendship = True community