We experience many types of things in life finely and completely. We eat several kinds of food. We wear many different different types of clothes. We move with many types of people. However, when asked what food do you like? what colour do you like? we will only mention one thing as an answer. We will say, “I like this colour” or “This is the food I like”. What is the reason for this? Isn’t it because we have already tasted it!
Just like this, a very important thing in life is friendship. Each and every person will be able to point out a particular person in their life as a close friend. Friendship is sweet – this is a truth that the world knows. “You tell me who your friend is. I will tell you who are” is a proverb. It is possible to know what some people are like based on their friends. Who is your friend? There is no doubt whatsoever that, in reality friends do play a very important role in our lives.
Your friends will try to change you as for themselves. Therefore, who is your friend? who are you going to choose as your friend – in this you need to be really careful. Because by friends, your life can even be changed. Each one of us need good friends in our lives. More than their friendship, the utmost important thing is what kind of people are they. We all need a good friend! “A friend will love at all times” (Proverbs 17:7).
Two Christian friends studied together at college. After they wrote their final examination, the moment arrived for them to part. During that last minute, one friend gave his autograph for the other saying, “My dear friend! You have joined me and prayed for many days with me! You have played. Fought. Made peace! Yet we are separating. However, my friend, till the end don’t forget my closest friend! You know him!” Yours sincerely, your life friend – saying this he placed his own signature and gave it to his co- Christian college friend. Following that there was a post note: You know that your friend my closest friend is Jesus Christ”.
Yes. If a person has received Jesus Christ as his friend, he will also be one who introduces Him to his friend too. Friends exist for the purpose of supporting and helping one another. They will not continue their friendship as a secret. They will be friendly such that the whole society would know. They will also desire to even give their life for their friendship. If that is so, will you give introduce Jesus Christ to your friend today itself? You too accept him as your close friend, relate with him and see. You life will become one full of joy such that you will be amazed. You will see a beautiful friendship that never ever changes in your life!
Stand here!
Have you ever even imagined that it is possible to relate as a friend with God who created you? Whenever we think about God we consider Him as God, as a King, as the one who created the world, as one who formed us and as the Judge. Yet some others consider Him as the one who protects, destroys evil and shapes. Yet a few others tremble in fear of Him. However, the thought that you can relate with Him as a friend doesn’t arise, right. However, the Bible clearly tells us that we can be friends with God. Therefore wait here a bit!
Sit down every day for a bit and read and see what the Bible says! Even after that continue to read! The place where you need to stand is that! Learn to stand in front of the Bible. That will teach you to relate with God with friendship.
Abraham was called a friend to God in James 2:23.
God spoke with Moses like speaking with a friend in Exodus 33:11.
In Matthew 11:19 and Luke 7:34, Jesus was called a friend to the sinners and tax collectors.
In John 11:11, Jesus addressed Lazarus as a friend.
When Judah Iscariot the disciple came to betray Jesus, He looked at him and asked Matthew 26:50, “Friend, for what have you come here”. Not only that, He looked at all His disciples and said with a right, “I do not say you are servants. I call you friends” (John 15:15). In such a manner, the disciples had realized how much Jesus loves them.
Whenever reading of this friendship, are you realizing that you and I have such a great opportunity to relate with God as a friend? Yes, God is always prepared to relate to us as a friend. “I have befriended you says the LORD” (Malachi 1:1).
In the Garden of Eden that God Himself had created, with friendship He would relate with Adam and Eve whom He had created. However, due to their disobedience, Adam and Eve fast broke that friendship. Today too, many in this world are living with indifference to the friendship with God. What are you and I going to do? The Bible preaches that you too should relate with God as a friend. It is in your hands as to whether you accept Him as your closest friend or not!
Concentrate on this!
In what sorts of ways are you contacting your friends? Are you not hearing them speak often through a letter, through the phone, through Facebook. In your heart, if you have the thought of relating with God as a friend, you can read the Bible daily. You can begin to hear His voice daily. You can begin to spend time with God how much ever time you spend daily with the friend you like to relate to. The time you spend with God in such a manner will grow your relationship with Him. Quietly be still before Him. Pray to Him. To listen to what He wants to tell you, first lend your ear to the Bible. How you would be quiet in front of your friend, do likewise. As days go on, you yourself will find joy in that miraculous friendship. Read Proverbs 6:4. According to that, ask what you need from Him. I tell you that whatever it is that you need, your friend is able to give you.
In this earth, in all circumstances, it is rarer than rare to get co-friends that can love sincerely. However, according to John 15:13, there is no greater love in this world than the love of the one who gave His life for you. As Proverbs 18:24 states, the friend who loves you as His own more than even your brother is Christ only!
Do this!
The time we spend with our friends plays an important role in our friendship and its growth. Likewise, if your friendship with God has to start and you need to grow in it we need to learn how to spend time with Him in your aloneness. Spend your time with God. Relate with His Word. Keep learning how to hear His voice. Are you asking how? I am telling you a very easy way. Take your Bible and go to a very quiet place. Most importantly let it be a place where no one will disturb you. Seated in that place whatever you wish to tell God tell Him! After that take a few sections from your Bible and read. You will be able to understand the plan that He has for you in that Biblical passage. Ask Him alone for the helps, guidance and wisdom that you need. Without stopping with that throughout the whole day keep your relationship with God. Often speak to Him. Endeavor to keep His presence continually.
You may be involved in a job at an office. Whether at school or at the market or when travelling to and fro, always keep relating to God. Whenever it is you desire to speak to Him, at that time always run towards His presence. You may wonder how this can be done. All that I’m saying is keep talking with Him in your heart the whole day. Whenever you get time, keep meditating on the Bible passages that you read and the truths that you understand. Think of the beneficial things. Make a decision to give up evil things. As this relationship keeps continuing only will your intimacy with God increase. The friendship and relationship and unity with God will keep growing further. When you strengthen the relationship with Him, it will give you the needed strength to overtake the mile stones in your life that need to be over taken. When you walk according to His counsel, you will keep changing as a sweet friend to God. He too will be your sweet friend.
In Luke 16:9-17, Jesus says, “I tell you, use worldly wealth to gain friends for yourselves, so that when it is gone, you will be welcomed into eternal dwellings. 10 “Whoever can be trusted with very little can also be trusted with much, and whoever is dishonest with very little will also be dishonest with much. 11 So if you have not been trustworthy in handling worldly wealth, who will trust you with true riches? 12 And if you have not been trustworthy with someone else’s property, who will give you property of your own? 13 “No servant can serve two masters. Either he will hate the one and love the other, or he will be devoted to the one and despise the other. You cannot serve both God and Money.”
Record this in your mind.
It is usual for students studying at schools to memorize some hard lines in their subjects. Sometimes it is useful for studies to memorize some formulas and scientific notations just as it is. In the same manner, memorize the passages in the Bible that you like. Then your friendship will form faith to your friend. Will not good friends be ones each other can trust? Will not the one who wishes to maintain a friendship with God, give much honour to His Word? The one who has received His word is one who has seen great treasure. Therefore you have to do the most important task. You need to record the words that your friend speaks to you such that you won’t forget.
Jesus said surely I am with you always till the end of the age (Matthew 28:20). Mark 13:13 says that the one who stands firm in God’s words at the end of the age is the one who will be saved. Thus, dear friends who are reading this, never live avoiding closes friend Christ Jesus! May He Himself bless you and lead you!
Written by : Vashni Earnest
Translated by : Shanthini