Table Talkনমুনা

Friendships That Last

Think about your closest friendships. What has made them strong? Chances are, honesty and trust play a big part.

Friendships that stand the test of time aren’t built only on fun memories; they’re forged in the moments that demand honesty and trust. Proverbs 17:17 reminds us, “A friend loves at all times, and a brother is born for adversity” (NIV). Good friends don’t just laugh with us, they walk with us through the messy seasons.

Jesus gives us the perfect picture of this kind of friendship. In John 13, before going to the cross, he knelt to wash his disciples’ feet. Though he was their teacher, he didn’t demand respect—he chose humility and service. That act of love built a foundation of trust that allowed him to speak openly and challenge them when needed.

We sometimes shy away from honesty because we don’t want to hurt people. But Proverbs 27:5–6 teaches that open rebuke is better than hidden love and that the wounds of a friend can be trusted (NIV). A godly friend loves enough to speak truth, even when it stings, because their goal is to build us up. That kind of honesty is only possible when trust has been nurtured over time.

Christ-centred friendships go even further. They aren’t just about encouragement in daily life, but about walking together in God’s mission. Paul’s farewell to the Ephesian believers shows the depth of these bonds. After years of serving side by side, they wept, embraced, and prayed together (Acts 20:36–38, NIV). Their friendships were forged in shared purpose and devotion to Christ.

Our world often treats friendship lightly, but God calls us to something deeper. He wants us to be the kind of friends who stick closer than a brother, who serve one another with humility, and who keep each other rooted in faith.

Prayer: Jesus, thank you for showing me what real friendship looks like. Help me be honest, trustworthy, and servant-hearted in my friendships.