God calls His children to become friends of the friendless by reaching out to fellow believers who lack sympathetic support during difficult times. Many in the church fit this description, as the apostle Paul notes that God chose the foolish, weak, and lowly of the world rather than the wise, strong, or noble by human standards. This awareness fosters a mindset of compassion, since every person needs true friendship regardless of background. The universal need for companionship appears from the beginning, when God declared that it was not good for man to be alone even before sin entered the world. Since Adam and Eve's transgression, God has worked to restore friendship both between Himself and humanity and among people themselves. Jesus Christ advanced this restoration by laying down His life specifically for His friends and by commanding His disciples to love one another as He has loved them. Through this mutual love, His followers demonstrate their discipleship and participate in the plan of salvation that draws all into loving relationship with God and with one another. Biblical examples such as David and Jonathan, Ruth and Naomi, Moses and Joshua, and Paul and Barnabas illustrate the kind of friendships believers are to cultivate.

A friend ought to offer and receive encouragement along with loving criticism. Godly communication between friends includes giving and accepting encouragement. A friend should encourage his companion to change course rather than commiserate with a bitter attitude or rebellion against any of God's laws, statutes, or principles. Friends need to appreciate encouragement from one another as well as candid criticism, kindness, and generosity.

Encouragement from friends forms when bonds and relationships develop through reaching out to those suffering from illness. God works through these bonds to produce real love, understanding, encouragement, and growth. A note, email, card, or phone call from a friend turns a painful day into sunshine and allows thankful prayer and praise to be offered to God. These gestures mean much to those cut off from others due to illness. They show real care and permit God to use the situation to great advantage. Reaching out in this way uplifts and encourages so that God's Spirit can work with both the ill person and the one providing support. Comfort and a feeling of brotherhood result while the flames of loving concern are fanned in the giver. Glowing embers of God's love help the Family of God to form fuller and deeper bonds of unity and purpose.

The other disciples went to Thomas with the message that Jesus has risen. They sought out Thomas and made sure that he was with them when they gathered together to worship later. Christians who have a naturally gloomy temperament tend to go off by themselves. These are the ones who can least afford to be alone because gloom and despair prey upon them. Such people will become gloomier and less believing if left alone. They must be encouraged to have faith and patient endurance based on God's assurance that He will never leave them nor forsake them.

Things can happen within the fellowship of the church that do not happen alone. Good things include exhortation, encouragement, and correction. God tells that those who speak often of His name are the ones He is going to treat like His jewels. This cannot be done by cutting off from fellowship. Thomas cut himself off from fellowship.

Exhortation from loving brothers can encourage someone to break the cycle of sin leading to apostasy. It works best in small groups of people where every member knows each other well enough and trusts each other enough to share their burdens and temptations. Hope faith and love increase in an atmosphere of encouragement of thoughtfulness and where there is enough trust of each other that people are willing to open themselves up somewhat. Exhortation within fellowship can stir to increase faith or love or both of them. It is a responsibility to encourage people to hang in there to love and to serve others. It builds faith to encourage them to exhort them to inspire them to submit to God or continue to persevere in submitting to God.