In a long discussion with a person of long association with churches, there was no mistaking his true desire to know God. The paradox was that this man, despite living religiously for most of his adult life, had no knowledge that he could have a close relationship with God. His expressions - even about Heaven - were more of the 'hope so' than 'know so' variety. The longer we talked the more sad I became inwardly. He just could not break through the religious jargon to understand the promise of the Presence of the Holy Spirit. It seemed to me that his religious experience was like an immunization that kept him from catching the life of Christ! He kept returning to the prayers his mother taught him when he was a child, to the many ways he had contributed to the church over the years, and to the fact that he had been 'good,' an assertion he quickly qualified with, "of course, I know I'm not perfect." John, as I'll call him, is not a unique person in this regard. There are millions of people who are merely religious, who do not know the sweetness of a daily walk with Jesus.
A contemporary worship song has this line in it - "I am a friend of God...." I don't care much for the song as it repeats that line ad nauseam, but the declaration is valid. I am a friend of God, and you can be also. The old Gospel song that says in part, "and He walks with me and He talks with me, and He tells me that I am His own," is not just a sentimental longing. It is a statement of the genuine Christian experience. As I write of my friendship with God, I do so with the deepest sense of humility for I know who I was, what I am capable of being apart from the Cross of Christ; and I know that He loves me anyway! That love not only changed me long ago from sinner to child of God. It is the source of an ongoing joyful relationship that continues to be transformational!
Every friendship in our lives affects us. A wise parent teaches his son early in life about the importance of choosing friends carefully. No matter how well defended we think we are, those that we invite to become more than acquaintances bring their values and ideas to us, changing us even if ever so imperceptivity. Proverbs says, "Walk with the wise and become wise; associate with fools and get in trouble." (Proverbs 13:20, NLT) Are you a friend of Jesus? Are you walking with Him, letting His influence work on your character? Don't just look back to some past high moment of spiritual experience. Cultivate your friendship with Him today, tomorrow, and until the moment when you take up residence in Heaven for eternity.
The prophet Amos, calling the people of God back to Him, asks - "Out of all the families on earth, I picked you. Therefore, because of your special calling, I’m holding you responsible for all your sins." Do two people walk hand in hand if they aren’t going to the same place? " (Amos 3:2-3, The Message) That is true for those who would please God today. Grace has been given to us. A holy privilege of being friends of God has been extended. Now, we must walk with Him, desiring what He desires, loving what He loves.
Are you a good friend of God? Do you talk with Him, listen to Him, spend time with Him? Do you love what He loves and express your worship of Him in demonstrable ways?
What a friendship! What benefits accrue to those who move beyond mere religion and into knowing God as their Friend. Walk with Him!
"So I say, live by the Spirit, and you will not gratify the desires of the sinful nature. For the sinful nature desires what is contrary to the Spirit, and the Spirit what is contrary to the sinful nature. They are in conflict with each other,... Since we live by the Spirit, let us keep in step with the Spirit." (Galatians 5:16-17, 25, NIV)
Jesus says, "I’m no longer calling you servants because servants don’t understand what their master is thinking and planning. No, I’ve named you friends because I’ve let you in on everything I’ve heard from the Father." (John 15:15, The Message)
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Friendship with Jesus,
Fellowship divine.
O what blessed sweet communion,
Jesus is a Friend of mine!
TFTD will be sent sporadically next week as I plan to attend the Assemblies of God General Council in Indianapolis, IN.It will be sent out regularly again on or about August 15. Thanks for reading along!
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