Nothing describes the relationship we have with Jesus better than the word friendship. We did not choose him, but he chose us (Jn. 15:16). As our Lord and Creator, he had the rightful power and authority to define our relationship with him. He did not call us his servants, but rather his friends. He chose to be our friend. As a friend, he protects us from evil, prays for us, and even lays down his life for us. The question is will we choose to be his friend? Will we spend time with him in conversation? Will we do the things that bring glory to his name? Will we care enough to put his interests before our own?

When we choose to be his friend, we have the blessing of joining a body of believers on this journey. Our common faith joins us together in sweet accord. These lovely companions provide us avenues to express our love of God, with one another. I am reminded of the great friendship between David and Jonathan. “Jonathan become one in spirit with David, and he loved him as himself” (1 Sam. 18:1). Jonathan proved his deep devotion to David by protecting David against the attacks from his own father Saul. Jonathan said to David, “if my father is inclined to harm you, may the Lord deal with me, be it ever so severely, if I do not let you know and send you away safely” (1 Sam. 20:13). This is a beautiful picture of the type of sacrificial love that the Lord has for us, and an example of the type of friendship we are blessed to have with fellow Christians.

“Lord thank you for calling us your friends. Help us to be a good friend to you in return. Father thank you for the friendship of believers who have sacrificed their time, energy, and resources for me. Lord thank you for friends in the Lord who help me grow and who I am blessed to share life with. Help us as your church to continue to build one another up. Help the world to see our love and by our love to want to know you.”

AMEN
Bryan Johnston