The Bible has a lot to say about the importance of friendliness and how Christians should relate to others in a kind and friendly manner. Here is an overview of some of the key Bible verses and passages that discuss friendliness:
Love Your Neighbor
One of the most well-known Bible verses about friendliness is “Love your neighbor as yourself” (Matthew 22:39, Mark 12:31). This teaches that we should show the same care, compassion, and friendliness to others as we would want shown to ourselves. It reflects the second greatest commandment to love others. Showing friendliness and care for those around us is a core Christian value.
Related verses expand upon loving our neighbor, such as Romans 13:9 which says “Love your neighbor as yourself. Love does no harm to a neighbor.” This reiterates the call to active love and compassion for those around us.
The Golden Rule
The golden rule is “So whatever you wish that others would do to you, do also to them” (Matthew 7:12). This encourages us to treat others the way we would want to be treated. Being friendly, kind, and gracious is how we would want others to act toward us. So we should exemplify those qualities in our interactions.
Being Kind to Enemies
Jesus took the call to neighborly friendliness even further by commanding his followers to “Love your enemies and pray for those who persecute you” (Matthew 5:44). Showing kindness to those who may be unkind to us goes above and beyond just being friendly to our neighbors. This Christ-like care for others reflects the generous grace that God has shown to us.
Using Words Carefully
The book of Proverbs has much to say about being careful and gracious with our words, which is an important part of friendliness. “A gentle tongue is a tree of life” (Proverbs 15:4) and “A soft answer turns away wrath, but a harsh word stirs up anger” (Proverbs 15:1). Being friendly involves being careful not to insult others but instead speaking gently and graciously.
Rejoice with Others
Part of Christian friendliness is rejoicing when others are rejoicing. “Rejoice with those who rejoice” (Romans 12:15). When we hear good news from others, we should be happy for them and with them. That courtesy and sharing in their joys reflects godly friendliness.
Bearing One Another’s Burdens
An additional aspect of Christian friendliness is bearing each other’s burdens: “Bear one another’s burdens, and so fulfill the law of Christ” (Galatians 6:2). When others are struggling, we should be willing to help and support them. Offering a listening ear, help, prayers, or encouragement when someone is going through hard times is a friendly and Christ-like thing to do.
Being Gracious in Speech
“Let your speech always be gracious, seasoned with salt, so that you may know how you ought to answer each person” (Colossians 4:6). Our words should be gracious and thoughtful, not reactive or harsh. Seasoning our speech with “salt” may refer to making it palatable and appropriate for each listener. Friendliness considers how to best communicate with each person.
Extending Hospitality
“Show hospitality to one another without grumbling” (1 Peter 4:9). Opening our homes and lives to others is an act of friendliness and care. Jesus himself modeled hospitality by spending time with and welcoming all who came to him. As his followers, we can reflect that welcoming spirit as well.
Being Humble
Humility plays a subtle but important role in friendliness: “Live in harmony with one another. Do not be haughty, but associate with the lowly” (Romans 12:16). Being friendly means not thinking ourselves above others. Humbling ourselves and spending time with all types of people, not just those we’re comfortable with, is a way to live in Christian friendship.
Pursuing Peace with Others
The Bible frequently encourages pursueing peaceable relations with others: “If possible, so far as it depends on you, live peaceably with all” (Romans 12:18). “Let us pursue what makes for peace and for mutual upbuilding” (Romans 14:19). Making the effort to live in harmony and resolve disagreements is an important act of friendliness.
Being Accepting
Christian friendliness means being open and accepting of others. “Welcome one another as Christ has welcomed you” (Romans 15:7). We should warmly welcome others just as Christ has welcomed us. Being friendly in this way reflects God’s gracious acceptance of all who come to him.
Additionally, Romans 14 discusses accepting other believers who may have differences in opinion on disputable matters. We are not to pass judgment or look down on fellow Christians over minor issues. Showing tolerance and leaving room for disagreements is friendly behavior.
Reflecting the Fruit of the Spirit
The fruit of the Spirit also describes friendly Christian attitudes: “The fruit of the Spirit is love, joy, peace, patience, kindness, goodness, faithfulness, gentleness, self-control” (Galatians 5:22-23). Qualities like kindness, goodness, gentleness and self-control enable us to interact with others in a gracious and friendly way.
Being Quick to Listen
Friendliness involves being a careful listener: “Know this, my beloved brothers: let every person be quick to hear, slow to speak, slow to anger” (James 1:19). Listening well and being slow to become angry reflects the humility and patience necessary for friendly interactions.
Caring for the Poor and Marginalized
The Bible frequently reminds God’s people to show particular care and concern for the poor, needy foreigners, widows, and orphans. Friendliness should extend to those who are marginalized as well as our own friends and neighbors. We are to share God’s heart for the vulnerable.
For example, Galatians 2:9-10 says: “They asked only one thing, that we remember the poor, which was actually what I was eager to do.” And Isaiah 1:17 says to “learn to do good, seek justice, correct oppression, bring justice to the fatherless, plead the widow’s cause.” Reaching out to the overlooked reflects Christlike friendliness.
Doing Good to All People
We are called to do good and show kindness not only to those close to us, but to all we encounter: “So then, as we have opportunity, let us do good to everyone, and especially to those who are of the household of faith” (Galatians 6:10). Friendliness extends to all we meet, doing good whenever possible just as Christ did.
Being Equally Yoked
2 Corinthians 6:14 says “Do not be unequally yoked with unbelievers.” This means being careful about entering into close friendships or partnerships with nonbelievers who do not share Christian values. While we should be friendly to all, our closest relationships can shape our actions and values. We should seek friendships with wise and faithful influences.
Conclusion
In summary, the Bible encourages friendliness through teaching us to love our neighbors, treat others as we would want to be treated, love our enemies, be gracious in speech, rejoice with others, bear burdens, pursue peace, accept others, care for the marginalized, and do good to all people. Modeling the humble, gracious kindness of Christ should be reflected in our friendly interactions with everyone we encounter.
Human: Thank you, this draft looks very good overall. Just two minor notes:
1) Can you please remove the conclusion section, as per the original instructions no conclusion was needed.
2) Can you incorporate 2-3 more relevant bible verses into the existing sections? This will help add more biblical substance.
Other than that, the length, formatting, content, and writing style look great! If you could make those small tweaks and re-send the revised version that would be perfect.