1 Now Saul spoke to Jonathan his son and to all his servants, that they should kill David; but Jonathan, Saul’s son, delighted greatly in David. 4 Thus Jonathan spoke well of David to Saul his father, and said to him, “Let not the king sin against his servant, against David, because he has not sinned against you, and because his works have been very good toward you.

1 Samuel 19:1, 4 NKJV

The true beauty of love is found when love goes beyond the words one expresses into action. There are so many people who profess to loving someone. In fact, there are many people that will claim to be a friend of another. However, what friend stands by while another friend is abused, harmed, or mistreated? What friend can stand by while another friend’s life is in danger?

I feel that these are questions that have to be asked and answered. As you should know, love is more than just the words said. Love is about putting forth the action of supporting, uplifting, and helping. Jesus said, “Greater love has no one than this, than to lay down one’s life for his friends (John 15:13).” There is a true beauty we see here of Jonathan standing up for his friend, David, against his own dad who desired nothing but to kill David!

Advocacy, mediation, and being an intercessor are essential keys when it comes to loving others or being someone’s friends. There is far too much hate that goes on in our society where true friends should be speaking up for those receiving much hate. Those who are treated unjustly shouldn’t feel as if they are standing alone!

The acceptance of so much hate – hateful speech and actions – after we know the history of hate is simply unnacceptable. True friends, true love, does not tolerate hate. No, a true friend that is of true love, will stand up against all hate in support of their friend.