Real Hope: God's Heart for HumanitySample

Being Called God’s Friend

God is described in many ways…

Creator – He created the universe with great care and intentionality. In the world around us, we see God’s awesome majesty and glory. Father – Like a loving father, He cares deeply for us and desires to guide us and provide for us in every way, just as a good dad takes care of his kids. Lord – He has ultimate authority over our lives. He has a plan and a purpose for each of us and He invites us to submit to His will and to trust in Him. Saviour – He has saved us from sin and death through His Son’s sacrifice. Through Jesus, we are forgiven of our sins, reconciled to God and given eternal life.

But there’s another face of God that should be considered when looking at God’s amazing love for humanity. Friend – He desires to walk with us through every season of life, offering us His friendship. As we develop this two-way relationship, just like Abraham we also can be called ‘God’s friend’. Wow!

The notion of a powerful, mighty God as our buddy may seem unfathomable to some but the Bible reveals that God desires to have a close, personal relationship with each of us, just as a friend would. Not in any way lessening the other descriptions of God but in a way completing them. Focusing down to an intimate one-on-one relationship. Jesus says, ‘Here I am! I stand at the door and knock. If anyone hears my voice and opens the door, I will come in and eat with that person, and they with me.’

This image of God knocking at the door of our hearts is a beautiful reminder that He wants to be welcomed into our lives to just hang out with us friend to friend.

Written by ROBBIE PARKIN