John 15:15
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 Bible describes our relationship with God in different ways. We are called His children, His bride and also His servants. However, there is one kind of bonding that God desires – that we become His friend. Abraham would never have dared to call himself God’s friend, but God addressed Abraham as His friend.
Friendship with God requires a profound and sacrificial obedience. It involves a readiness to surrender oneself for His purposes. God wants us to understand His intentions, embrace them as our own and implement them in our lives. He wants us to have unshakable, boundless faith in Him.
God has shown us specific ways to grow in friendship with Him – through prayer, obedience, acknowledging His sovereignty, and remembering His death on the cross. According to the laws of association, we become like the people we associate with. Therefore, the way we live – our actions, attitudes and service – should radiate the love of Christ from within us, revealing Him to the world and bringing honour to God.
Some things can lead us away from God: worldly temptations, materialism, envy, status, self-importance, possessions, etc. These cravings are seen as attractive to the sinful, fallen human nature that opposes a dependence on God. Instead, let us intentionally nurture our friendship with God and remain dependent on Him.
When we continually commune with the Lord, others will see Jesus reflected in us. When we are in Christ, we are never alone because He is the most faithful Friend, who will never leave nor forsake us.
