Everyone wants a good friend.

According to the Pew Research Center:

“A narrow majority of adults (53%) say they have between one and four close friends, while a significant share (38%) say they have five or more. Some 8% say they have no close friends.”

Most people have just a handful of people they call their “friends.” But increasingly, in our world today, many would find themselves saying (or thinking) that they don’t have many good friends. Loneliness is now referred to as an “epidemic” in our country. 1 in 10 Canadians would say that they often feel lonely. In a time when we have the most significant access to communication and social media, our world is becoming more and more alone every day. The New York state government reports that, though it is one of the largest cities in North America, “More than half of New Yorkers report feeling lonely at least some of the time.”

What is the solution to this problem?

The Bible says in Proverbs 18:24

"A man that hath friends must shew himself friendly: and there is a friend that sticketh closer than a brother."

To have friends, one must first make an effort to be a friend to others. Jesus said in John 15:11-15

“These things have I spoken unto you, that my joy might remain in you, and that your joy might be full. 12 This is my commandment, That ye love one another, as I have loved you. 13 Greater love hath no man than this, that a man lay down his life for his friends. 14 Ye are my friends, if ye do whatsoever I command you. 15 Henceforth I call you not servants; for the servant knoweth not what his lord doeth: but I have called you friends; for all things that I have heard of my Father I have made known unto you.”

Jesus did just as He said in verse number thirteen. You see, all of mankind has sinned against God. All people have, at one point, disobeyed God’s commandments. The Bible teaches:

"For all have sinned, and come short of the glory of God;" (Romans 3:23)

"For the wages of sin is death; but the gift of God is eternal life through Jesus Christ our Lord." (Romans 6:23)

But God, in His love for mankind, sent His Son, Jesus Christ, to live as a human on Earth. He lived a perfect life, and on the cross of Calvary, He willingly gave up His life so that we could be freed from the debt of our sins.

"But God commendeth his love toward us, in that, while we were yet sinners, Christ died for us." (Romans 5:8)

Indeed, Jesus is the greatest friend of all! The story does not end there. Jesus’ dead body was placed in a tomb, but three days later, He rose from the dead, left the grave, and appeared to thousands. After this, He went up to Heaven, where He sits at the right hand of the throne of God.

All that one must do to receive this free gift is to trust in Jesus alone. You can have the debt of your sins paid for! You can have a relationship with God! You can have eternal life. The Bible says:

"For God so loved the world, that he gave his only begotten Son, that whosoever believeth in him should not perish, but have everlasting life." (John 3:16)

All you must do is believe (trust) in Jesus alone. There is nothing else to be done, no work to complete, no religious activity to perform. The Bible is very clear about this:

"For by grace are ye saved through faith; and that not of yourselves: it is the gift of God: 9 Not of works, lest any man should boast." (Ephesians 2:8-9)

“Not by works of righteousness which we have done, but according to his mercy he saved us…" (Titus 3:5a)

Would you trust Jesus today? You will find that He is the greatest friend of all. You can pray and ask Him to be your Saviour today. Would you pray something like this: “Jesus, I believe that I am a sinner and that because of my sin, I have earned death and eternal separation from God in Hell. But I believe You died in my place on the cross of Calvary so that I could have a relationship with You, and You promised to give me eternal life. I am now trusting you only to be my Saviour. Thank you for giving your life for me.”

You'll never regret that decision! If you have just trusted Christ, we would love to know about your decision and give you a Bible and other materials to help you learn more about that new relationship! Give us a call at (780)887-7620 and let us know today!