Your Friend Profile!

I got this “profile” from a youth pastor friend (www.mikadosword.com) and thought it would be very helpful to share with you. Everyone, children, teenagers and adults, should look for these traits in their friends.

• P – Profess Christ: 2 Corinthians 6:14 reminds us not to be unequally bonded with an unsaved friend. It doesn’t mean we cannot be friends, I believe it is telling us not to build strong close relationships with the unsaved (dating, marriage, business partner, etc.)
• R – React Godly (Attitude): our friends should exhibit an attitude that is Christ-like in every aspect. How do they respond to frustrations? Quick Tempered or Patient? How do they respond to trials in their life? Doubting or Trusting? How do they respond when the don’t get their way? Selfish or Giving?
• O – Open and Honest: 1 Peter 2:12 talks of honesty as being a necessary part of a Christian’s testimony.  If your friend is not honest to their friends, teachers, parents, or authority – what makes you think they are going to always be honest with you?
• F – Forgiving: we remember the instruction from Ephesians 4:32 to be kind to each other and willing to forgive those who have hurt us.  A friend that is harboring a spirit of bitterness toward someone else is being very selfish and prideful. Beware because that unforgiving attitude may turn on you one day.
• I – Imitate Christ: when we look at the life of Christ in the four Gospels we see a clear picture of who and what Jesus really was.  Peter tells us in 1 Peter 1:15-16, “But as he which hath called you is holy, so be ye holy in all manner of conversation [LIFESTYLE]; Because it is written, Be ye holy; for I am holy.”  Make sure your friends imitate Christ with their life.
• L – Live with Integrity: testimony is what you are when others see you, integrity is who you are when no one is around.  Teenager, if your parents say they don’t want you hanging around a certain individual, chances are it is because they do not trust them. They may see something that you do not see.  They love you and want to protect you from getting hurt or making unwise decisions that will affect you later down the road. Make sure that your friend has integrity.  What your friend is known for – you soon will be known for, how others look at that individual is how they will soon begin to look at you.
• E – Excited about God: in today’s society we get excited about a lot of things. Guys love cars, big trucks, weapons, hunting, hobbies, video games, action packed excitement, oh yeah and girls. The girls love shopping, the latest news, sports, cheering, fashion, puppies, and guys – if they are a hunk.  These things are fine, but what has happened to getting excited about the things of God?  When we are excited about God we love witnessing to others, seeing souls saved, service opportunities, youth activities, fellowship, praising God, and living for Him.  Surround yourself with friends that enjoy doing godly things and get excited about God!