This is an excerpt from Pastor Brian’s book ‘How to Maximise Your Life’. It is now available everywhere!

Physical: hil.so/maxlifebook iBooks: hil.so/maxlifeibooks Kindle: hil.so/maxlifekindle

Loyalty & Love

‘Greater love has no one than this, than to lay down one’s life for his friends.’ ( John 15:13)

How far would you go for a friend who is in trouble? Napoleon Bonaparte once made this observation: ‘Alexander, Caesar, Charlemagne and myself founded great empires, but upon which did the creations of our genius depend? Upon force! Jesus alone founded His empire upon love, and to this very day, millions would die for Him!’ Jesus said the following words: ‘Greater love has no one than this, than to lay down one’s life for hisfriends.’ (John15:13)

Jesus demonstrated His love by giving His life for us. He may have been betrayed by Judas, one of His twelve disciples, and Peter may have denied Him three times, but that didn’t sway Him.

A friend is someone you love, and from whom you receive love. In ancient Greek and Latin, the word for friend (‘philos’ and ‘amicus’) is based on the word for love (‘phile’ and ‘am’). The Bible describes a good friend in this way:

‘A friend loves at all times’ (Proverbs 17:17)

Loyalty and love are the attributes of true friends. Such friends will be there in season and out of season. They are the ones who rejoice when you are rejoicing, and will weep when you are weeping. Your close friends will know your weaknesses and strengths, and they will have watched you make mistakes, but they will be there to see you through the times of adversity.

The strength of a good friendship that goes the distance will be unconditional love. Such people won’t stand by and be neutral when they hear criticism or gossip by busybodies behind the back of their friend. Their loyalty will cause them to make a stand and if called for, they will even put their own reputation on the line. They will believe in you no matter what happens, and will be committed to seeing you reach your potential in life.
For more information on Pastor Brian please visit brianandbobbie.com and follow him on Twitter@BrianCHouston and facebook.com/brianandbobbie