A Friend of God

An objection that often comes up when sharing the gospel is that there are many different religions. I respond by pointing out Christianity is not a religion but a relationship. Religion is man trying to appease God through good works. Christianity is God reaching out to man through His son Jesus Christ.

Throughout the Bible, the Lord sought relationships with men. Even under the Old Covenant, Abraham was referred to as God’s friend…


“Are You not our God, who drove out the inhabitants of this land before Your people Israel, and gave it to the descendants of Abraham Your friend forever?” - 2 Chronicles 20:7


“But you, Israel, are My servant, Jacob whom I have chosen, the descendants of Abraham My friend.” - Isaiah 41:8


“And the Scripture was fulfilled which says, ‘Abraham believed God, and it was accounted to him for righteousness.’ And he was called the friend of God.” - James 2:23


There’s a well-known praise song with the lyric, “I am a friend of God.” Anyone can be as close to Him as they want to be, but it involves a decision on their part. James 4:8 says, “Draw near to God and He will draw near to you.” 


While doing good works doesn’t save us, obeying His instructions will strengthen our relationship with Him. Look at what Jesus said in John 15…


13 Greater love has no one than this, than to lay down one’s life for his friends. 

14 You are My friends if you do whatever I command you. 

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.


Another characteristic of a good friendship is that both parties give to one another. While God desires us to give our time and resources to Him, He also wants to give back to us. Jesus said in Matthew 7:11, “If you then, being evil, know how to give good gifts to your children, how much more will your Father who is in heaven give good things to those who ask Him!”


Friendships also involve loyalty. James 4:4 says, “Adulterers and adulteresses! Do you not know that friendship with the world is enmity with God? Whoever therefore wants to be a friend of the world makes himself an enemy of God.” This is not to discourage reaching out to sinners with the love of Jesus. God doesn’t want His people to turn their hearts to idols and endorse worldly ideas that go against Scripture.


In his book “Ticket to Heaven”, Greg Knight revealed that 80% of the people he asked said that if there were a way to know God personally, they would want someone to tell them. Too many Christians let fear of the remaining 20% stop them from sharing the Good News. Let’s always be ready to lead others into becoming God’s friend as well.


“If you seek Him, He will be found by you; but if you forsake Him, He will forsake you.” 

- 2 Chronicles 15:2


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