Pastor Jon Verwey
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18 The Lord God said, “It is not good for the man to be alone. I will make a helper suitable for him.” — Genesis 2:18 (NIV)
The Bible has a great deal to say about the longings of the human heart. …there is much about love, friendship and fellowship. It is very striking, however, that almost never are these longings and their satisfaction placed in the context of a sexual relationship. — Christopher Ash, Marriage: Sex in the Service of God.
9 Two are better than one, because they have a good return for their labor: 10 If either of them falls down, one can help the other up. But pity anyone who falls and has no one to help them up. 11 Also, if two lie down together, they will keep warm. But how can one keep warm alone? 12 Though one may be overpowered, two can defend themselves. A cord of three strands is not quickly broken. — Ecclesiastes 4:9–12 (NIV)
[Friendship] is the instrument by which God reveals to each the beauties of all the others. They are no greater than the beauties of a thousand other men; by Friendship God opens our eyes to them. They are, like all beauties, derived from Him, and then, in a good Friendship, increased by Him through the Friendship itself, so that it is His instrument for creating as well as for revealing. — C.S. Lewis, The Four Loves
12 My command is this: Love each other as I have loved you. 13 Greater love has no one than this: to lay down one’s life for one’s friends. 14 You are my friends if you do what I command. 15 I no longer call you servants, because a servant does not know his master’s business. Instead, I have called you friends, for everything that I learned from my Father I have made known to you. …17 This is my command: Love each other. — John 15:12–15, 17 (NIV)
12 My command is this: Love each other as I have loved you. — John 15:12 (NIV)
13 Greater love has no one than this: to lay down one’s life for one’s friends. — vs 13
14 You are my friends if you do what I command. — vs 14
15 I no longer call you servants, because a servant does not know his master’s business. Instead, I have called you friends, for everything that I learned from my Father I have made known to you. — vs 15
17 This is my command: Love each other. — vs 17