(continue from Pt. 1 of April 26, 2026)

   It is in the nature of friendship that the friend be himself for others. The friend, as Jesus pointed out, is willing to lay down his life for those he loves. He is able to “empty himself” in the service of others just like Jesus did. At the core of friendship is the ability to trust. The suspicious, distrustful, anxiety-ridden, frightened man is incapable of friendship both because he does not trust others and does not trust himself. He does not think that he is good enough to run the risk of friendship. He is afraid that if he “empties himself” there will be nothing left.

    We have far more worth and dignity than we are able to admit to ourselves. If we could believe that Jesus loves us, we would have no trouble loving others.  Erich Fromm said (in Art of Loving), “To be loved, and to love, need courage, the courage to judge certain values as of ultimate concern and to take the jump and stake everything on these values”. Make a list of your friends today and review their activities sincerely.

    Do you have genuine friends? You may have many but trust very few. Some ensure they help you squander your money. They know much about you but you know little about them. Some events may compel you to say, “Is it not better to be alone than to be with the wrong person?” But you are not created to live alone! So, do to no one, what you don’t want others do to you. Some avoid you when you are in trouble and return when you recover. Your true friend must be interested in your growth and development. A good friend will ensure he leaves you better than he met you.

     Our case study for today is about Olu and Ade who were classmates during their primary and secondary school days. Some years later, they met again, this time around, as working adults living in the same city. And naturally, they reunited as bosom friends with Ade more financially successful than Olu. To their audience, they proved closer in their care and concern for one another than physical identical twins. Hence, many people saw them as models.

     Sometimes, you realize through events or circumstances that danger is looming somewhere, yet you go ahead for it. When Calpurnia, Julius Caesar’s wife begged him to stay at home because of her bad dream, he obliged but mistakenly told Decius, his friend who intentionally misinterpreted the dream to ensure Caesar came out and die. So, see what happened to Ade.

     Isaiah 29:15 says, “Those who try to hide their plans from the Lord are doomed! They carry out their schemes in secret and think no one will see them or know what they are doing”. At about 9.00pm, Olu suddenly turned violent as he strangulates his friend, Ade, who offered no resistance like Julius Caesar when Brutus stabbed him unexpectedly. Caesar was able to ask, “Et tu Brute?” but Ade merely exhibited his shock and went into the land of oblivion without a word or cry. Oh Ade, may your gentle soul rest in peace!

     The road to success is the widest road on earth: so wide that it can contain all human beings on earth as they race for success in life. Unfortunately, some people will (at one time or the other) leave their track to track other participants down without good reason or no reason at all. Yet, God patiently wait for us to complete our life-span here on earth before giving His final judgment.

   After that night a new life begun for Olu who lied to his family and friends that he had bought a vehicle. Those who wanted to wonder aloud about his sudden change of financial level soon abandoned their thoughts and went for food and drinks subtly declared for a mini-celebration. You see what our poor economy has done to us, the commoners? Our society is decaying because the few people who know the truth are hungry and afraid to die. “A good name is better than precious ointment” Ecc 7:1. By your good work you can evangelize others: save them and save yourself too!

    In a friendship relation, demands and support come to the same thing. We encourage our friend to do his best, precisely because of our belief in how good he is. If we accept him at his worst, at his most mediocre, his most indifferent, then, we are not his friends!

    The economic situation in Nigeria has blindfolded nearly all of us such that nobody query people who go about polluting the society but accept their share and say nothing. When a man denies God before men, God too will deny him. And therefore I suffer as I do. But I am not ashamed, for I know whom I have believed” 2 Tim 2:12. “If we continue to endure, we shall also rule with Him. If we deny Him, He also will deny us.”

     You believe in God, hence, you should stand out rather than blend in. You are different and should remain so even in the midst of corrupt friends, neighbors and co-workers. Let the light of God shine through all you do or say in every situation you find yourself. “But you are a chosen race, a royal priesthood, a holy nation. God’s own people, that you may declare the wonderful deeds of Him who called you out of darkness into His marvelous light” 1 Peter 2:9.

     The current corruption situation in Nigeria has changed her from the giant of Africa to giant of corruption which has eaten deep into the fabric of our society. Yet, I say to you today, do not deny Jesus and follow the way of the world. Every problem has expiring date.  Continue to trust God and do good things irrespective of your trials and tribulations. God cares for you and sees all that is happening to you!