So many people will shudder at the thought of God being their friend. But that is exactly what Jesus offers – friendship. Jesus declared it himself in John 15:15 (ESV) “…but I have called you friends”.
Think about that for a moment. The Son of God, the second person in the trinity calling you friend.
It was the desire to reconcile the world to himself that took Jesus to the cross. But unfortunately, too many people cheaply pass off the opportunity of getting into an active relationship with God.
We are living in a generation that deems it fashionable to ignore God’s loving hand of friendship. This is a costly mistake.
Some years ago, I had a colleague who was doing everything possible to build a relationship with me. But I bungled it. I ignored, frustrated, and pushed away every hand of fellowship that was extended to me. It was years later, with the benefit of hindsight that I was able to see how I lost that potentially vital relationship.
Who needs a friend?
Why is friendship with God so important? In Proverbs 17:17 (ESV), the Bible declares that “a friend loves at all times….” Today, many people get hurt, defrauded, and abused in the quest for love and loving relationships. Humanity with its frailty cannot give so much love because it does not have it, without Jesus.
God’s love is constant because love is the essence of who God is. There is no better friend to have than the one whose love is secure and stable.
One other thing that is unique about the love and friendship that God offers is that it comes with no strings attached. God loves unconditionally and graciously. He does not need you to change anything about who you are to qualify to receive his love.
God’s love is reckless in a sense, and He can be so gracious in lavishing that love on whoever receives and confesses Jesus as their Lord and Saviour.
Who doesn’t need a friend that loves and accepts them unconditionally?
A friend that is always there
The individual that was trying to become my friend reached out with a hand of friendship when I did not know I needed a friend.
Don’t we all sometimes feel we are just OK all by ourselves?
Don’t we all sometimes think we do not need any new relationships?
But a good friend will make themselves available in any case. That is exactly what Jesus did.
He loves you when you think you do not need or deserve love. He is excited about you even when you do not even like yourself.
Jesus is a friend that always loves. It does not matter how you have been disappointed in past relationships. The love of Jesus presents a new hope for you.
Prayer: Dear Jesus, I receive your love in my heart and I accept your hand of friendship.
Bible Reading: John 15:15; Proverbs 17:17
For questions and additional information, please leave a comment or send an email to goodnewsforall07@gmail.com.
Comments