You are my friends if you do what I command. John 15:14

 

Are you a person with a tribe of friends or someone who has just one or two close companions?

In the ancient world, friendship was regarded as the highest and most intimate of human relationships. The Roman playwright Plautus wrote, “Nothing but heaven itself is better than a friend who is really a friend.”[1]

You may be surprised to know that even God has friends. In the Bible, God first called Abraham “my friend” (Isaiah 41:8. “Abraham believed God,” scripture says, “and God counted him as righteous because of his faith. He was even called the friend of God” (James 2:23b).

Then there was Moses–Moses had an amazing relationship with God! Scripture says that God “…spoke to Moses face to face, as a man speaks to his friend” (Exodus 33:11 NKJV). Moses felt comfortable enough in his friendship with the Creator of the universe to converse back and forth with God. God said to Moses, “…I look favorably on you, and I know you by name” (Exodus 33:17).

Today, each of us can be a friend of God. God’s friends are followers of His Son, Jesus. When Jesus came to earth and was willing to stand in your place for your sins, through His death, the door was opened for your friendship with God. When you choose to follow Jesus, Jesus says to you, “You are my friends if you do what I command” (John 15:14).

Unlike our human friendships, friendship with God affects our eternal destiny. Jesus said, “Anyone who isn’t with me opposes me” (Matthew 12:30a). Come find rest for your soul in the richness of the friendship God offers you through Jesus.

[1] “Plautus: ‘Nothing but Heaven Itself Is Better than a Friend Who Is Really a Friend.'” The Socratic Method, The Socratic Method, 22 Oct. 2023, www.socratic-method.com/quote-meanings/plautus-nothing-but-heaven-itself-is-better-than-a-friend-who-is-really-a-friend.