The Friendship of God

Many of us have called God our Father, our Provider, our Comforter, our Redeemer, but would you call Him, friend? Who in the Bible have we seen called a, “Friend of God” before, and what did they exhibit in life to earn such an honor? Is friendship with the Lord something that can still be experienced with Him? Can you too become a friend of God? 

Who was Called a Friend of God? 

In scripture we are shown several examples of those who walked with God and were bestowed with the honor of recognition for all of eternity as being known as His friend. James 2:23 shares of Abraham, 

“AND ABRAHAM BELIEVED GOD, AND IT WAS RECKONED TO HIM AS RIGHTEOUSNESS,” and he was called the friend of God.” James 2:23

Scripture also conveys of righteous believers having known the familiar presence of the benevolence of God in such ways, Job 29:4 shares, 

“As I was in the prime of my days, When the friendship of God was over my tent” Job 29:4

The Hebrew word for friendship here is, sôḏ, which means, council, secret counsel, assembly, or intimacy. Job in context is recalling days gone by when he had vividly experienced life with God in such ways. He knew what it meant to have the hand of God upon his household beyond just protection, but of the indwelling of His counsel within and over His home. 

In the New Testament Jesus calls the Disciples His friends in John 15:15 exclaiming, 

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

The word for friends here is, philos, meaning, familiar one, dear one, or bridegroom’s friend who renders various services in closing the marriage and celebrating nuptials. This unique meaning entwines itself with the bigger picture of the Wedding Supper of the Lamb of Christ with the Church as HIs Bride. Each of these definitions pivots to a deeper, more familiar relationship with the Lord than just servitude. 

These believers were known as Friends of the Lord, but such a term was not offered or given in flattery or superficiality, rather, such a term was spoken in truth, love, and as a credit to the heart posture exhibited of each person. 

How They Walked as Friends of God

Just before Jesus calls the Disciples His friends, He clearly identifies what it means to be His friend in John 15:12-14, 

“This is My commandment, that you love one another, just as I have loved you. “Greater love has no one than this, that one lay down his life for his friends. “You are My friends if you do what I command you.” John 15:12-14

There is power in the meaning of, if in this case, if one does what He commands, then such a title is applicable. This was true of Job and Abraham just as much as it was the Disciples. Genesis 15:6 shares of the reaction and heart of Abraham at the Word of the Lord, 

“Then he believed in the Lord; and He credited it to him as righteousness.” Genesis 15:6

Such belief was credited to him as righteousness, and such belief rooted him in the security and loyalty to the Lord. Abraham did not know when God would fulfill His promise to him, but he held firm to the conviction that it would indeed come to pass, and he devoted himself to the Lord. Just as Jesus shared with the Disciples to do as He commanded, Abraham did so generations before in following the asks of the Lord with deep reverence. Abraham’s loyalty was evident as he traveled trough perilous situations in foreign lands and did not fall prey to worshipping false gods. Honor and respect unto the Lord was lived by example upon visitations as he developing rapport and relationship. In order to have a friend, it is imperative to be a friend, and friendship with God requires loyalty, devotion, and obedience.

Can We Become Friends of God? 

As believers we have the opportunity to experience the friendship of God. Just as friendships with one another are built over time, such friendship with our Creator is cultivated through relationship and intimacy with Him. 

Relationship is not something that is fostered over night, but through life lived with and through the Lord. Inviting Him into circumstances and situations, seeking His face for instruction and opinion, and in all ways doing life with and for God signifies and advances this holy companionship. When you ask Jesus to be your Salvation, you must decide if He is to be the Lord of your whole life or just part of your life. If He really is Lord of your entire existence, no part or portion of your being should therefore be held back from Him. He must be Lord of all, or not at all. When He is your Lord you will see His hand in all and through all aspects of your time here on earth, for everything is yielded to Him. This relationship flourishes in sincere intimacy with the Lord. 

Intimacy with the Lord comes forth through a fearful respect of the Lord. John Bevere shares in, The Awe of God, “As holy fear grows within us according to our increased comprehension of God's glory, it purifies our motives, frees us from the fear of man, and produces true holiness in our lives. The manifestation of holy fear is immediate and complete obedience to God regardless of whether we see a reason or benefit or how painful it is. With this knowledge, we can now turn our discussion to this unique gifts benefits…what is undoubtably the greatest benefit of all: intimacy with God. The word intimate comes from two Latin words: intus, which means within, and intimus, which means "very secret." In joining the two, we come up with "innermost secrets." This gives a very good picture of intimacy, a word used to describe an affectionate connection between two close friends on levels far deeper than merely an acquaintance, which is someone you've met and know slightly but not well. To be intimate is a two-way street; both parties need to know each others innermost desires and thoughts.” This offers the great opportunity to not only offer yourself for Him to know you, for He already knows you better than you know yourself, but to know His heart better. Intimacy with God reciprocal in that there is the chance to know God personally. God is our constant companion, the Only One Who will never leave us, but through intimacy and relationship you can find connection that extends further than even companionship. The deeper you come to know God, the more you will grow to appreciate life and your joy will rise even in times of adversity. 

Friendship with God is accessible and available to you, just as it was to those who have gone before us in the pilgrimage of following after the Lord. It is a privilege presented to you in accepting Christ as Savior to have access to the Father and to encounter life anew, life as a friend of the One True God. 

Sources: 

NASB

Blue Letter Bible 

The Awe of God, John Bevere