Knowing God … as Friend
… as Friend
John 15: 9 “As the Father has loved me, so have I loved you”.
Do you believe that…
- God wants to be your best friend
- You are as close to God as you choose to be
What you believe determines your actions in life / relationships.
John 8: 32. The truth will set you free.
God wants to be your best friend:
- Jesus changed the whole dynamic: friendship with God became possible again.
Romans 5: 11
All because of God’s grace and love for us.
Friendship with the trinity – 2 Corinthians 13: 14
John 15: 15 – a close trusted friend – best man, the kings inner circle.
“Knowing and loving God is our greatest privilege and being known and loved is God’s greatest pleasure”. Rick Warren.
You are as close to God as you choose to be:
Intimate friendship with God is a choice not an accident.
Developing friendship with God:
- Constant Conversation
God wants to be included not excluded. 1 Thessalonians 5: 17
Brother Lawrence – “keep it simple”
- Continual Meditation
Who God is, what he has done and what he has said (his word)
Psalm 143: 5, Psalm 145: 5, Psalm 1: 1-3
- Choose to be honest with God
Honesty not perfection. Psalm 142
- Choose obedience
Obedience is a condition of intimacy with God. John 15: 14
When we know God better we trust him more. Obedience stems from love not fear.
- Choose to value what God values:
A friend cares about what’s important to the other person.
What does God value most?
Parables – lost coin, sheep, son. Love God – love others.
- Desire friendship with God more than anything else
David – Psalm 27: 1-6. Paul – Philippians 3: 10. For me to live is Christ.
Perhaps you have been passionate about God in the past but you have lost that desire?
Points to consider:
- Do I truly believe that God wants to be my best friend?
- Am I as close to God as I choose to be?
A chance for action:
- What practical choices will I make today in order to grow closer to God?
………AS FRIEND
Suggested Bible readings: John 15: 9-17, James 2: 14-24
To be a friend – the Greek word is teknon – was to be someone close, a dear one or beloved. This is no mere acquaintance but one who is a confident, one who is aware of another’s deep thoughts. This was demonstrated by God in the life of Abraham in Genesis 18:16-33 but especially in verse 17 in the reporting of God’s plans for Sodom and Gomorrah
NIV Genesis 18:17 Then the LORD said, “Shall I hide from Abraham what I am about to do?
As a friend of God, Abraham is allowed to be privy to the intimate plans of God. But it is left to James in God’s revelation to explain why Abraham is called the friend of God:
NIV James 2:23 And the scripture was fulfilled that says, “Abraham believed God, and it was credited to him as righteousness,” {23 Gen. 15:6} and he was called God’s friend.
What is the definition of a friend? With one, we can relate. With one, we can be totally comfortable. With one, we can be ourselves. And with one, we can share our deepest emotions, all our fears, our aspirations, our problems, and our dreams. A friend is one, who can be counted for support at all the times. Who is there for us, whenever we need him/her. Who will never laugh at us, but will laugh with us. How many of us have such a friend?
Very few. Isn’t it? But we all need friends. We want to have someone who can be relied upon. we want someone, with who we can communicate. we want someone, who is always for us. Who gives us the right guidance at all the times. And on whose advise, we can act. Don’t we all need such a friend? Many of the married couples want desperately to develop such confidence and reliance on each other. But many fail.
Who is left, but God? Whether, you are a spiritual person or not, you can always turn to God. You may deny God, but God does not do that. God never goes away from you,because you are one of his creations.
Turn to God, whenever you need a friend. Tell him all what is bothering you. Talk to him sitting alone on a sea shore or in a garden. Talk to him, about your day when you go to sleep. And ask him for guidance, before beginning your day. Talk to him, before attempting anything. Tell him what you want to do and ask for help. He will help.He will always be there for you and with you. He will guide you at all the times. Never forget that a small seed grows into a big tree, but the early growth that occurs in the womb of the soil is never seen by us.