The Most Important Friendship

There is privilege associated with friendship.  Friendship makes you a part of the inner circle.  You have direct access. You know the real person. You have inside information.

I have heard many people say, “it is all in who you know.”  And there is a lot of truth to that.  No doubt we have all benefited from knowing certain people, and no doubt we have all wished we had a connection to certain other people.  We know if we were friends with this person or that person it would open doors for us and provide us with opportunity.

Out of all the people to ever walk the earth, the most important one was the Son of God.  Let’s take a look about what He had to say about friendship in John 15.  Jesus gathered His disciples together.  He knew He was only moments away from betrayal.  He knew most of the people He was talking to would soon abandon Him.  Yet Jesus said these powerful words, “I have called you friends.” (John 15:15 NASB)

Friends of God.  That is who Jesus’ disciples were.  And if we follow Jesus, that is who we are.  No relationship is more important.  No other friendship provides more access, more intimacy, or more opportunity.

Listen to what Jesus said as He taught His disciples what it meant for them to be His friend.

Greater love has no one than this, that one lay down his life for his friends. (John 15:13)

Our friendship with God begins with His love. Friendship with God is only possible through Jesus’ sacrifice. Without Jesus, we would never be able to connect to God or experience His great love.

You are My friends if you do what I command you. (John 15:14)

Our friendship with God is not one-sided. Even though God initiates the friendship with His love, we have to respond.  We show our love for God in many ways including listening to Him and following His direction.

 No longer do I call you slaves, for the slave does not know what his master is doing; but I have called your friends, for all things that I have heard from My Father I have made known to you. (John 15:15)

Our friendship with God gives us inside information. As Jesus explained to His disciples, we are not just servants.  A servant simply carries out the commands of a master.  They do what they are told without needing context or insight.  Instead, of servants, we are friends.  Jesus not only gives us direction but He makes known God’s way and God’s thoughts to us.

You did not choose Me but I chose you, and appointed you that you would go and bear fruit, and that your fruit would remain… (John 15:16a)

Our friendship with God gives us purpose. Each of us is designed to live a full and productive life. We are uniquely created and gifted for the exact assignment God has for us.  We can only accomplish our purpose through knowing God and His power working through us.

And that whatever you ask of the Father in My name He may give to you. (John 15:16b)

Our friendship with God gives us direct access. At any time and in any place we can call out to God and speak directly to Him through prayer.  It is easy to overlook just how amazing this is.  We are able to present requests before the Creator of the entire universe.  And He hears and responds.

This I command you, that you love one another. (John 15:17)

Our friendship with God transforms all other relationships.  God’s love is not only extended to us, but it is extended through us.  The closer we are to God the more we become like God.  His love not only changes us, but it can work through us to change the people around us too.

There is no friend or person more important than Jesus.  And there is nothing greater that we can do with our time then to develop our friendship with Him.  Remember, He has already expressed His great love for you.  Now is your opportunity to express your love back to Him.