“I'LL BE there for you" goes the well-known theme song "when the rain starts to pour. I'll be there for you, like I've been there before."

A recent survey of young people showed that 97 per cent say it is important to be happy with life and they saw "having the right relationships" as the big secret for happiness. Over 80 per cent saw relationships with friends as crucial to happiness.

What is it about friendship that means just about everyone is agreed it's one of life's crucial ingredients? "One loyal friend is worth ten thousand relatives," wrote Euripides, the ancient Greek playwright (if you imagine having ten thousand mothers-in-law you'll get him).

A friend chooses you. They affirm you by being your friend. They know all about you and still like you. There's something about true friendship which meets our deepest need. And - genius! - we get to meet someone else's deepest need at the same time.

But, is there really such a thing as true friendship? Oscar Wilde said "A true friend stabs you in the front." Is it really a sentimental dream best kept for American sit-coms?

The Bible describes God as a "true friend...closer than your own family". And it says that Jesus has shown us this true kind of friendship by "laying down His life" for us. And that those who are the friends of Jesus - Christians - become deep, true friends with each other.

But - hang on. Does this all sound a bit too good to be true? Better have a think about truth before we get too carried away?

See also: I believe in Truth God Jesus

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