Jesus is our
friend
Friends, Trust
Jesus. He is not just our Lord; He is our Friend, too. He told His followers, "My command is this: Love each other as I
have loved you. Greater love has no one than this, that he lay down his life
for his friends. You are my friends if you do what I command. I no longer call
you servants, because a servant does not know his master's business. Instead, I
have called you friends, for everything that I learned from my Father I have
made known to you. " (John 15:12-15)
God knew that
we needed help, and He told His people: "But as for you, Israel my
servant, Jacob My chosen one, descended from Abraham My friend, I have called
you... For I have chosen you" (Isaiah 41:8-9) God and humans are not even
close to equal; but because of His friendship with Abraham's descendants, God
fulfilled His plan to save humanity from sin.
We display our
friendship with God and our faith in Him by obeying Him, doing what He asks of
us: "[Abraham's] faith and his actions worked together. His actions made
his faith complete. ...So you see, we are shown to be right with God by what we
do, not by faith alone"( James 2:22,24)
Also, being a Christ-like friend to
others is a great way to show Jesus' love. Praying for your friends, as Jesus
did, is a great way to care: "I have pleaded in prayer for you, Simon,
that your faith should not fail"
(Luke 22:32).
It's so
exciting to know that the Lord of the universe, Jesus Christ, calls us His
friends (if we follow His commands, John 15, v. 14)! And he wants us to love
each other as He loved us.
Do you care
enough for a lost person you see regularly? You don't have to rush. Pray about
this person you identify. If you are shy, ask the Lord or a friend for help in
reaching out. Do something that fits your culture - it may just be inviting
them for a cup of coffee. You do not have to talk to them about Jesus right
away. Just become friends and build the relationship. Ask them to tell their
life stories, then really listen. Share your story when asked, without
preaching. If they invite you to do something you don't feel is right, simply
decline politely and without condemning. They will soon understand and accept
you as you are - because you accept them as they are.
PRAY : "Lord please help me to identify ONE person around me who
does not yet know You as Lord and Savior, and to start a friendship with that
person. Help me to pray Your blessing and peace on them and be a good friend to
them. In Jesus name I pray, amen."
Whether this is
easy or challenging for you, follow Jesus' example and be a friend to someone
who needs Him!
Write ‘Amen’ if
you pray. May God bless you.
