Being a Friend to God
What does it really mean to be a friend?
Proverbs 17.17 tells us that “a friend loves at all times… a friend is always loyal.” (NKJV/CEV)
Jesus said, “The greatest love is shown when people lay down their lives for their friends. And you are My friends, if you obey Me. Servants do not know what their master is doing, and so I do not speak to you as My servants. I speak to you as My friends, and I have told you everything that My Father has told Me.” (John 15.13-15 NLT/CEV)
A true friend is someone who is always loyal and is willing to put the life and interests of others above their own. A true friend is not selfish—they delight in helping and blessing others, instead of merely trying to satisfy themselves.
How can we be a friend to God?
There are 3 main things we can do that will help us to be friends of God:
1. LOVE HIM
2. TRUST HIM
3. HONOUR HIM (Obey His Word)
LOVE HIM: Proverbs 18.24 instructs us: There are “friends” who destroy each other, but a real friend sticks closer than a brother. A true friend loves at all times and is devoted.
To be a friend to God, we must love Him and stick with Him. To really love God means that we don’t put other things above Him or allow anything to crowd Him out of our life. Loving God by keeping Him first and foremost in everything we do is the first step to being His friend.
The second step is to TRUST HIM. The Scriptures tell us, “Abraham had faith in God, and God accepted him. That is how Abraham became God’s friend.” (James 2.23)
Without faith (trust), it is impossible to please God. We must believe that He is real and rewards everyone who searches for Him. (Hebrews 11.6)
Trust is essential in true friendship. As friends of God, we must not only be trust-worthy, but we must also be trusting. Trusting God and trusting His Word shows that we love Him and are confident in our relationship with Him.
HONOUR HIM: True friendship is established on mutual honour and respect. True friends don’t mistreat one another or do things behind each other’s back. A true friend won’t tell lies or break their word, and they won’t tear down the reputation of another. A true friend is honest, fair, dependable, and eager to do what is right.
To be a true friend of God, we must honour Him. He honours and values us, so we should honour and value Him. Honouring God comes from obeying His Word. Jesus said, “You are My friends, if you obey Me.” (John 15.14) When we are diligent to study God’s Word and do what it says, we are honouring God.
If a true friend were to sincerely ask you to do something for them, it would honour them if you fulfilled their request. Through His Word, God—our True Friend—is asking us to do something. When we obey His Word, we are honouring Him by fulfilling what He has asked us to do.
As we pursue these 3 areas each day in our life--Love God, Trust God, Honour God--we will grow in our Friendship with the Lord. Friendship with God is a special privilege, reserved only for those who choose to Love Him, Trust Him, and Honour Him. With this special privilege comes the opportunity for us to share in God’s secrets. “A servant doesn’t know what his master is doing,” Jesus said, “But I have called you friends, for everything that I have heard from My Father I have made known to you.” (John 15.15)
LOVE HIM, TRUST HIM, HONOUR HIM… and enjoy the great joy and privileges that come from Being a Friend to God!
Copyright © First Love Ministries International aka FERVOUR
All Rights Reserved
What does it really mean to be a friend?
Proverbs 17.17 tells us that “a friend loves at all times… a friend is always loyal.” (NKJV/CEV)
Jesus said, “The greatest love is shown when people lay down their lives for their friends. And you are My friends, if you obey Me. Servants do not know what their master is doing, and so I do not speak to you as My servants. I speak to you as My friends, and I have told you everything that My Father has told Me.” (John 15.13-15 NLT/CEV)
A true friend is someone who is always loyal and is willing to put the life and interests of others above their own. A true friend is not selfish—they delight in helping and blessing others, instead of merely trying to satisfy themselves.
How can we be a friend to God?
There are 3 main things we can do that will help us to be friends of God:
1. LOVE HIM
2. TRUST HIM
3. HONOUR HIM (Obey His Word)
LOVE HIM: Proverbs 18.24 instructs us: There are “friends” who destroy each other, but a real friend sticks closer than a brother. A true friend loves at all times and is devoted.
To be a friend to God, we must love Him and stick with Him. To really love God means that we don’t put other things above Him or allow anything to crowd Him out of our life. Loving God by keeping Him first and foremost in everything we do is the first step to being His friend.
The second step is to TRUST HIM. The Scriptures tell us, “Abraham had faith in God, and God accepted him. That is how Abraham became God’s friend.” (James 2.23)
Without faith (trust), it is impossible to please God. We must believe that He is real and rewards everyone who searches for Him. (Hebrews 11.6)
Trust is essential in true friendship. As friends of God, we must not only be trust-worthy, but we must also be trusting. Trusting God and trusting His Word shows that we love Him and are confident in our relationship with Him.
HONOUR HIM: True friendship is established on mutual honour and respect. True friends don’t mistreat one another or do things behind each other’s back. A true friend won’t tell lies or break their word, and they won’t tear down the reputation of another. A true friend is honest, fair, dependable, and eager to do what is right.
To be a true friend of God, we must honour Him. He honours and values us, so we should honour and value Him. Honouring God comes from obeying His Word. Jesus said, “You are My friends, if you obey Me.” (John 15.14) When we are diligent to study God’s Word and do what it says, we are honouring God.
If a true friend were to sincerely ask you to do something for them, it would honour them if you fulfilled their request. Through His Word, God—our True Friend—is asking us to do something. When we obey His Word, we are honouring Him by fulfilling what He has asked us to do.
As we pursue these 3 areas each day in our life--Love God, Trust God, Honour God--we will grow in our Friendship with the Lord. Friendship with God is a special privilege, reserved only for those who choose to Love Him, Trust Him, and Honour Him. With this special privilege comes the opportunity for us to share in God’s secrets. “A servant doesn’t know what his master is doing,” Jesus said, “But I have called you friends, for everything that I have heard from My Father I have made known to you.” (John 15.15)
LOVE HIM, TRUST HIM, HONOUR HIM… and enjoy the great joy and privileges that come from Being a Friend to God!
Copyright © First Love Ministries International aka FERVOUR
All Rights Reserved
