Having discussed the responsibilities of friendship the past three weeks, it would seem appropriate for us to say a word or two about the fact that friendship is risky business. This may be why so many have opted to remain at arm’s length from others so as to avoid rejection. Some of the most heart-rending statements in the Bible are made in the context of personal rejection.

An example is David. He knew the pain of being betrayed by a friend. He writes, “Even my close friend, in whom I trusted, who ate my bread, has lifted up his heel against me” (Ps. 41:9). Jesus applied that verse to His own betrayal by Judas (Jn. 13:18). Another example of David’s personal encounter with rejection is found in Psalm 55, where he writes, “For it is not an enemy who reproaches me, then I could bear it; nor is it one who hates me who has exalted himself against me, then I could hide myself from him. But it is you, a man my equal, my companion and my familiar friend. We who had sweet fellowship together…” (vss. 12:14).

Aristotle observed that “Misfortune shows those who are not really friends.” Job learned that lesson by personal experience. When multiplied sorrows came his direction, those who once had been his closest friends, became his scoffers (Job. 16:20). They forgot about him (19:14). And, they turned against him (19:19). One would think that Job would have given up on such friends; but, when opportunity presented itself, he was more than willing to offer up prayer on their behalf (42:10).

Everyone who has experienced the pain of a failed friendship knows something about the pain of rejection. Rejection is never easy. But, if we would experience the joy and beauty of friendship, we must risk the pain of rejection. Concerning friendship with God, where would we be if Jesus had not risked rejection. Jesus “was despised and reject by men” (Is. 53:3). “He came to His own, and those who were His own did not receive Him” (Jn. 1:11). It was “while we were [God’s] enemies, [that] we were reconciled to God through the death of His Son…” (Rm. 5:10). Consider what rejection Jesus was willing to endure so that we might be friends with God! Then, looking to His example, remember that no lasting good can be accomplished in the work of the church until we are willing to lay it on the line in spite of the possibility of rejection. May God bless each of us to be the kind of friends that show Christ’s love to the world around us.