“A man that hath friends must shew himself friendly: and there is a friend that sticketh closer than a brother.”
Proverbs 18:24
Proverbs 18:24
Have you ever thought about what it means to have God as your friend? For starters you get three in one. You get God the father, God the Son (Jesus) and God the Holy Spirit which resides in every saved individual. This means you have all your needs met (Philippians 4:19). You can accomplish and do all that God has for you to do (Philippians 4:13) through His strength and assistance. You are loved unconditionally (John 13:1) and nothing can separate you from His love (Romans 8:35). That is just some of what you get from having Him as a friend but what does it mean to be called the friend of God? Well, Abraham was called the friend of God. Let’s look at his life. Abraham was dedicated to following God. He trusted God to provide a way, when no way seemed possible. Remember, his faith to tell the servants he would be back with Isaac, even though they were going to do a sacrifice with no offering but his only son? And God blessed Abraham and provided the lamb. Abraham believed God. “And the scripture was fulfilled which saith, Abraham believed God, and it was imputed unto him for righteousness: and he was called the Friend of God” (James 2:23). Do you believe God? Abraham did, even without the indwelling of the Holy Spirit. How much more should we believe with God living in us and the Holy Scriptures to teach us and give us affirmations of the promises, love and amazing grace of God? What a friend we have in Jesus, who loves us and prays for us (John 17:15). Like any friendship it requires input from both parties. God is and will continue to be a friend to you, but how are you doing being a friend to Him? Our verse today even tells us to have friends we must be friendly. “Ye are my friends, if ye do whatsoever I command you” (John 15:14). “If ye love me, keep my commandments” (John 14:15). Do you love Him today? Can He count on you to stand with Him and to do His will in your life? Are you following after His ways? He is ever abiding in you and will never leave you or forsake you (Hebrews 13:5). Strive to be the friend to God that He is to you and He will help you accomplish all that and more. Jesus loves you. You are loved.