"Who is my friend?"

Waimarino Bulletin, Volume 2, Issue 23, 6 November 1984, Page 10

"Who is my friend?"

In today's world, one might well ask: "Who is my friend?" History tells us a great deal about friendship. For instance, in World War I, Italy and Japan were our allies against Germany and Turkey, among others. Then in World War II Italy and Germany and Japan were our enemies, but Turkey no longer was. Now there are people who tell us that the Soviet Union (who was an ally in World War II along with the United States) is an enemy and that Japan and West Germany are our friends. And into this strange change of events sometimes China was our friend sometimes China was our enemy. , Who is my friend? One becomes wary of friendship based upon a relationship solely for what one gets out of it. You are my friend as long as you give me money and do as I tell you. Is that friendship? I am your friend so long as I agree with every word that you say, as long as I buy your values, as long as you are accepted as 'right' all of the time. Is that friendship? Those of us in the older generation watch the struggles of the young with the problems of friendship, values and goals. Now history should have pointed out the problems and values and pitfalls of living. By now we should know something about

friendship and who our real friends are. Now there is every evidence that true world friendship could be based on these words which come straight from the Bible, indeed the Old Testament as found in Micah 6:8 read with care states "He has showed you, O man, what is good; And what does the Lord require of you but to do justice, and to love kindness, and to walk humbly with your God." I think I could be a friend of anyone who accepted that as a guiding principle in all matters of conduct. But even more is to be said on this subject. Jesus defines friendship with himself. Again, take care when you read these words at John 15:12 "This is my commandment, that you love one another as I have loved you. Greater love has no man than this, that a man lay down his life for his friends. You are my friends if you do what I command you." Simpleenough. Friendship

implies self giving, even self death — for a friend. I wonder how anyone who truly understands the meaning of Jesus' words could in any way nurture support for nuclear weapons in New Zealand, the United States, the Soviet Union ... or indeed any place in God's world or universe. Do you really think he could be a friend? Rev. Bob Peck