IS JESUS YOUR FRIEND???

In reality most people have few friends and many acquaintances. You may think some of your acquaintances are friends until you really need them, (and then they are no where to be found) and thankfully there are some that you are not sure if they are friends or not, but when the “chips are down” they are there for you. Some friends you do not see for weeks and months (sometimes even years) but the moment you see each other you immediately connect as if it was only yesterday you saw each other.

A true friend is one you can share your heart with (some may even say “dump” on them) and you can trust them to help you, support you, and be perfectly loyal to you. The word friend is used numerous times in the Bible. We read in Exodus 33:11 NKJV So the Lord spoke to Moses face to face, as a man speaks to his friend. Here is the King of Kings and Lord of Lords speaking to a mere mortal (Moses), and the Bible declares God was speaking to a friend,this is awesome.

Solomon tells us one of the qualities of a friend is, he must be FRIENDLY (no aloof). He goes on and says the best friend STICKS CLOSER to you even more than a brother. Proverbs 18:24 NKJV A man who has friends must himself be friendly.

Now we turn to the New Testament and listen to the words of Jesus in John 15;14-15 NKJV You are My friends if you do whatever I command you. No longer do I call you servants, for a servant does not know what his master is doing; but I have called you friends, for all things that I heard from My Father I have made known to you.

The most important friendship we can have and need to continually work on it and to deepen it, is FRIENDSHIP WITH JESUS. You know my definition of prayer is THE INTIMATE COMMUNICATION BETWEEN TWO LOVERS. Please note Jesus says there is a condition to friendship with Him.. WE MUST DO WHATEVER HE COMMANDS US TO DO. Which immediately suggests we must know what the Word of God says and be willing to obey it. The Bible also speaks about the “still small voice” 1 Kings 19:12 NKJV. God who dwells within us wants to speak to us, (what he says will ALWAYS LINE UP WITH THE WORD OF GOD) so we need to see that there is no “spiritual wax” (sin) in our lives that would restrict us hearing God’s voice. remember he wants to talk to you as a FRIEND. The Bible tells us Abraham believed (and obeyed) God, he was called a friend of God. James 2:23 NKJV And the Scripture was fulfilled which says, “Abraham believed God, and it was accounted to him for righteousness.” (Gen. 15:6).

So, let me ask you, do you feel Jesus is a friend to you? Many people when they seek to come into the presence of God, their concept of God is more od a despot than a Father and Friend. Let me encourage you to make a decision, that with the Lord’s help you take steps to deepen your friendship with God. I guess He can become many different things to us, I often see myself as a little boy running into His arms to receive the comfort and strength and help I need, at other times, to sit (or lay) in His presence and talk with him as a friend. The depth and degree we can make of the friendship with God is in our hands. Let the Lord be your best friend.