14 December 2008
Unconditional Friendship
Is there such a thing as Unconditional Friendship. That is the question I was posed.
I see my friend has posted his answer, and I have not yet responded, so here I go (before reading your answer, Randy)...
My friend Craig would say my answer is a 'Chasism.' My answer is "Yes & No."
The only YES I can come up with would be Jesus is a friend that sticks closer than a brother.
On a fully man to man (as different than man to God-man) plane I fear the answer is NO. I have always wanted the answer to be yes.
A big portion of my life has been spent in a passionate pursuit of the man or men who would fulfill my quest for unconditional love, acceptance, and yes, friendship. Apart from Christ (and I've discovered He is who I was actually pursuing), these things are most definitely beyond reach, and there is the biggest condition. Christ must be a part of the friendship.
There is another condition.
To the best of my ability I have followed what I know to be God's command to love and role-model that love of God to more than one individual, in essence, be a best friend whether that is returned or not. I have been hurt, abused, misled and occasionally rejected (albeit briefly) as I have attempted to be a friend-that-sticks-closer-than-a-brother.
The condition is that a friendship is a two-way street, walked together, hand in hand. What I have freely offered, w/o condition, still must needs be received.
The human heart according to Jeremiah 17:9 (?) is deceitful and wicked. This side of heaven, I don't see it happening anymore.
I've mentioned friends on this blog in the past. I love them more than I love my self and they know I will not hesitate to do anything for them (if I deem it in their best interest, or feel God's leading that way -- more conditions?), and have on more than one occasion.
Money? Time? A hand? Advice? My life? Love? Patience? Hope? A desire to share the meat of the Scripture? Love for Jesus Christ? A Passionate Pursuit of the Holy One? All these and more I gladly dedicate and consecrate to our friendship and relationship with Abba -- Father God.
Since my love for my friends is from the overflow of my love for God, and by His grace this will not change, than I would say that from this side of the street I pose the offer of unconditional (faithful?) friendship.
I see it as the love of a wife for her husband, but now-a-days that seems altogether too conditional. Many are even skipping the vows.
The love of a Father for his children? I don't know that that would stand the test, either.
In closing I would have to bow to God, the Master of the Universe, and say that Unconditional Friendship is a two way street, based primarily on a love relationship with HIM; the overflow of which can be a conditional 'unconditional friendship.'
Hope you're not too confused.
Blessings!
ChaplainChas.
Labels: Chasism, conditions, Craig, ETC, friend, friends, friendship, Nate, Randy, Ryan, unconditional
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