A Friend of God: The Heart of True Friendship

Oct 9

2 min read

By: Pastor Steve Pierce

Could you image being called a friend of God? So amazing! In fact, Abraham is called a friend of God (James 2:23) and Jesus calls his disciples his friends. (John 15:14-15). God spoke to Moses like a friend (Exodus 33:11) and Jesus called Lazarus his friend (John 11:11). It’s possible. How? What do you have to do to be a friend of God? And how does that compare to being a friend to another person?

There are key words in several verses that can answer these questions.

“and the Scripture was fulfilled that says, “Abraham believed God, and it was counted to him as righteousness”—and he was called a friend of God.” (James 2:23, ESV)

“You are my friends if you do what I command you.” (John 15:14, ESV)

To be a friend of God’s there is an expectation that you listen to what He says and then apply it to your life. Abraham did, think back to Isaac and the many other times Abraham trusted God and did what he was told to do. Jesus taught his disciples how to live a life that pleased the Lord and they became his friend by doing what they learned. None of these men were perfect. They failed probably about as often as we do. But they listened, trusted, believed and then learned to do what God commanded. They didn’t give up when they failed. They tried again. God offered grace. These are great lessons for us all. God is talking. Are you paying attention?

Three simple steps to becoming a friend.

Pay attention. If you are creating a relationship with God or another person, give them your full attention. Hear what is being said. Guard this knowledge, value it.
And then do it. A true friend never asks you to do anything that is wrong, evil or against the will of God. A true friend loves and lifts you up, doesn’t wear you down. There is an element of trust involved here that must become action to create a deep and true friendship.
Offer grace and accept it when it is offered to you.

At its most basic, that is it. Good communication that creates a bond that affects actions in grace. That’s friendship. We complicate it so much but at its core, friendship is a selfless experience that lifts others up first. Friendships are created when the desire to serve another override the selfishness of your personal desire. It’s how you love a spouse or a child or your God. Go make a friend. Or fix a broken friendship. Its worth it.