responsibility wrote: The issue I wish to outline with regards to the above is that, unless one acts purely in the name of God, then one will inevitably be acting in one�s own self interest (which 99.9% of people unfortunately do).

This I agree to. I would like to point  out however, there are people in this world who are in contention with God/Allah. If one is to love for the sake of Allah, and make friends for His sake purely, then one cannot make freinds with such people. Unless of course if they choose to change their selves. 

Islam does not preach friendships with people who are in opposition with their creator. One is not supposed to fight them, but finding peace with such on all occasions is difficult since people are sensitive to their choices. 

I wont fight them for sure, but I cannot choose them for company either ...

Their choices and inclinations are different. Their aims and objectives in this earth are also different.

The Quran says, Allah created the men and jinn except for His worship. People who do not believe in Allah and the last day, have other goals from this lif, than spending it in His good pleasure. Our hearts are certainly affected by  the company we keep. Thus we should be carefull about the influnce of types of people around us.