The Importance of Cultivating a Friendship with God

As humans, we were created to have a deep connection with God. He doesn't just want us to have knowledge about Him, but rather to experience His friendship. In fact, the Bible urges us to make it our top priority to enter into an everlasting friendship with Christ.

Jonathan Edwards, a famous theologian, put it best when he said, "Let it be your first love to enter into an everlasting friendship with Christ that never shall be broken." This friendship with God is what the gospel calls us to, and it involves trusting Jesus as our Savior, submitting to Him as our King, and valuing Him as our Treasure.

But what does it mean for God to be our truest friend, and how can we experience His friendship? In this article, we'll delve deep into the concept of God's friendship, exploring what it means, how we can cultivate it, and why it's so important.

What Does It Mean To Be Friends With God?

When we think of friendship, we often think of it in terms of human relationships. We have friends who we enjoy spending time with, who support us, and who we can rely on in times of need. But what does it mean for God to be our friend?

In John 15:15, Jesus says, "No longer do I call you servants, for the servant does not know what his master is doing; but I have called you friends, for all that I have heard from my Father I have made known to you." This verse shows that Jesus wants us to see Him as more than just our Master or Lord. He wants us to see Him as our friend, someone who shares His heart and His plans with us.

Additionally, in James 2:23, we read that Abraham "was called a friend of God." This shows that having a friendship with God is not just reserved for Jesus or a select few individuals, but is something that we can all have if we pursue it.

How Can We Cultivate A Friendship With God?

If we want to cultivate a friendship with God, there are several things we can do:

1. Spend Time In Prayer

Prayer is one of the most important ways we can connect with God. It's a time where we can talk to Him about our hopes, fears, and dreams, and listen to what He has to say to us. By spending time in prayer, we can deepen our relationship with God and grow in our understanding of who He is.

2. Read The Bible

The Bible is God's Word to us, and it's one of the primary ways He speaks to us. By reading the Bible regularly, we can learn more about God's character, His plans for our lives, and what it means to follow Him. As we learn more about God through the Bible, we can grow closer to Him and deepen our friendship with Him.

3. Obey God's Commands

Jesus says in John 15:14, "You are my friends if you do what I command you." This shows that obedience is a crucial part of our friendship with God. When we obey God's commands, we show Him that we trust Him and that we value our relationship with Him.

4. Seek God's Will

As we cultivate our friendship with God, we should also seek His will for our lives. This means asking Him what He wants us to do, and then following His guidance. When we seek God's will, we show Him that we value His opinion and that we trust Him to lead us in the right direction.

Why Is It Important To Have A Friendship With God?

Having a friendship with God is important for several reasons:

1. It Helps Us Grow Spiritually

When we have a friendship with God, we're able to grow spiritually in ways that we couldn't on our own. We're able to learn more about Him, and His plans for our lives, and we're able to receive His guidance and wisdom. As we grow spiritually, we become more like Jesus, and we're better equipped to live out our faith in the world.

2. It Gives Us Peace

When we have a friendship with God, we're able to experience a deep sense of peace. We know that we're loved and accepted by God, and that He's always with us, no matter what we're going through. This gives us the strength to face whatever challenges come our way, and it helps us to live with a sense of purpose and meaning.

3. It Helps Us Love Others Better

When we have a friendship with God, we're able to love others better. We're able to see them through God's eyes, and we're able to extend grace and forgiveness to them, just as God has extended grace and forgiveness to us. This helps us to build deeper, more meaningful relationships with others, and it helps us to make a positive impact in the world.

Conclusion

In conclusion, having a friendship with God is one of the most important things we can do as Christians. It involves spending time in prayer, reading the Bible, obeying God's commands, and seeking His will for our lives. As we cultivate our friendship with God, we're able to grow spiritually, experience peace, and love others better. So let's make it our top priority to enter into an everlasting friendship with Christ, a friendship that will never be broken.