Are You God’s Friend?

“Ye are my friends, if ye do whatsoever I command you. Henceforth I call you not servants; for the servant knoweth not what his lord doeth: but I have called you friends; for all things that I have heard of my Father I have made known unto you.”

John 15:14-15

Dear Friends,

If you were to be asked to characterize your relationship with God what would you say? He is your Creator...God…Savior? These are all awesome truths but Friend – wow! Having God as a friend might seem strange to some, if not even presumptuous, but the Savior, Jesus Christ, indicated that it is His desire to have an intimate friendship with believers.

Christ loved His disciples, and as such He took them into a special covenant of friendship with Himself, “Ye are my friends, if ye do whatsoever I command you” (John 15:14). But notice when we, as God’s followers, become His friend, “if ye do whatsoever I command you.” When we try to do His will as found in God’s Word, we will have a more meaningful and unique relationship with Him.

The animal kingdom has a relationship with God. The angels in heaven certainly have a relationship with God. Even unbelievers enjoy a connection to God, “…he maketh his sun to rise on the evil and on the good, and sendeth rain on the just and on the unjust” (Matthew 5:45). But those who follow Christ and His Word are uniquely called friends!

This is not some distant, impersonal link to a deity but an incredible and dynamic relationship that carries with it great reward. Believer, I encourage each of us today to take advantage of drawing close to the Lord Jesus as your friend – walk with Him, follow Him and share with Him.

God’s Friend,

Dr. Tim Pollock, Senior Pastor