¹⁴ You are My friends if you do whatever I command you. ¹⁵ No longer do I call you servants, for a servant does not know what his master is doing; but I have called you friends, for all things that I heard from My Father I have made known to you. ¹⁶ You did not choose Me, but I chose you and appointed you that you should go and bear fruit, and that your fruit should remain, that whatever you ask the Father in My name He may give you. – John 15:15 NKJV

You are My friends if you do whatever I command you

Friendship with God begins with Him rather than us. He takes the initiative to welcome us into this divine relationship the moment we become His children. We become God’s children when we accept Jesus Christ as our Lord and Savior. Embracing this identity involves a profound commitment to living in accordance with His word and will. By dedicating our hearts and minds to obeying His commandments, we not only establish but also nurture our friendship with God, allowing it to flourish throughout our lives.

God initiates friendship with Humanity

God has always longed for a close friendship with humanity. In the Garden of Eden, we see how God would come to meet Adam and Eve in the cool of the day, yearning for connection and fellowship with them (Adam and Eve) – Genesis 3:8. It must have been heartbreaking for God to discover that they had disobeyed Him. Their choice of disobedience was a profound rejection of God’s love and desire for a relationship, and it surely pained Him deeply. As a result, they faced banishment from the Garden of Eden and the subsequent hardships that followed.

Yet, even in their failure, God did not abandon humanity. His heart remained open and vulnerable, reaching out to people like Enoch, Noah, Abraham, Moses, and David throughout the Old Testament. His desire for connection never waned. This unwavering commitment found its ultimate expression in the New Testament when Jesus Christ came to offer salvation to everyone. This act serves as the ultimate invitation—an invitation for each of us to experience genuine friendship with God, regardless of our past. His love and grace are present, waiting patiently for us to reach out and accept His hand in friendship.

Dear one, our first step in becoming a friend of God is first by:

(1) Acceptance of Friendship with God

Jesus Christ came to earth to take on our sins, offering us a chance for redemption through His incredible love. By accepting His sacrifice on the cross, we begin a beautiful journey towards friendship with God. When we truly embrace this message, we become children of God, welcomed into His eternal love. This gift of Christ’s righteousness allows us to connect with a holy and true God, transforming our lives with grace and hope.

(2) Maintaining Friendship with God

After we accept Christ into our lives, the way we nurture that beautiful friendship becomes essential. Throughout Scripture, we find that a key aspect of maintaining our relationship with God is through our obedience to Him. It’s important to remember that this obedience isn’t about strict rules—it’s a pathway to experiencing the abundance of His love, mercy, and grace, which are always extended to us. I understand that this can be challenging at times, as we often struggle to fully align with His commands, even though they are rooted in love.

The Bible offers us comforting guidance on how to express our love for God. Living a life marked by faithful obedience brings us closer to Him and helps to build a strong friendship. Engaging with Scripture through reading and meditation allows us to understand His heart and intentions, which equips us to follow His ways. Prayer is such a key part of our relationship with God, as it allows us to experience God’s presence and deepens our communication with Him.

Connecting with other fellow believers adds another layer of joy to our journey, helping our relationship with God to thrive. It’s my heartfelt prayer that we yield to the help and guidance of the Holy Spirit to grow in our friendship with Him.

¹⁵ “If you love Me, ^[a]keep My commandments.  – John 14:15

²³ And the Scripture was fulfilled which says, “Abraham believed God, and it was ^[a]accounted to him for righteousness.” And he was called the friend of God. – James 2:23