what does it mean to be close to god
At first thought, the idea of seeing God as a friend would astound and baffle well-nigh of us.
I mean, nosotros're talking most the purple creator of the universe here! The same God of Abraham, Isaac, and Jacob who spoke a gazillion stars into existence. He'south the architect of fourth dimension, infinite galaxies, our Omnipotent Father, the King of everything we know…
… and He wants to be our… friend? :O (audible gasp)
I mean, I don't know nearly you. Just if there's ever a perfect instance of feeling 'unworthy', this would probably be it. Heh.
However, incredibly, this is exactly what God desires by His divine grace. God wants to befriend usa, His children.
Merely what does it mean to exist a friend of God?
Permit's explore what the Bible says!
Does God invite usa to exist friends with Him?
The short respond is 'yep'!
Even so, I recollect it's crucial for us to keep the correct perspective here and not get ahead of ourselves.
Let'south not forget our identify.
First, God's want to be friends with us absolutely does non equate to us treating Him equally we would our ordinary man friends, our fleshy equals.
Instead, we must brainstorm past never, e'er forgetting that God is God.
This means always having a healthy fear (i.e. reverence) for Yahweh. He is the one and merely God (2 Samuel seven:22) who is absolutely righteous (Psalm 119:137), holy (Isaiah 6:3), timeless (Revelation ane:viii), Almighty (Genesis 49:25), the builder of everything (Hebrews 3:four), the unfailing ruler of heaven and earth (Genesis 14:19)…
Well, you lot go the picture!
In short, while God does indeed welcome u.s.a. to be His friends, we must at the same time e'er hold fast to rightfully worshipping the unending ability of our divine Creator. And never lose sight of that.
God as a friend.
With the above being said, there are indeed several instances in the Bible where God reveals His willingness to befriend His people.
For example, when Moses went into the Tent of Meeting to consult with God (Exodus 33:8-9)…
Abraham, too, entered into a similarly described relationship with our Father.
And the scripture was fulfilled that says, "Abraham believed God, and it was credited to him as righteousness," and he was called God's friend.
James 2:23
Of course, I know many of you are thinking: "But… that'southward Abraham and Moses! Of grade God befriended them. They're His special chosen ones; I'm not. I'1000 merely an ordinary believer."
Well, yep, it's true that most of u.s. won't be called to exist fathers of many nations – nor tasked with leading tons of people to the Promised Country.
However, in the New Testament, God makes clear His current desires for all of us to be friends with Him. As said past Jesus:
Remember, Jesus did not give his life for just his original twelve disciples.
Rather, the Son of God laid down his life for all our sins – for all the earth, beyond all time (John iii:16-17; 2 John 2:2; ii Corinthians 5:nineteen).
Thus, what Jesus says hither applies just as much to us today every bit it did to those he was directly speaking to. After all, "Jesus is the same yesterday and today and forever" (Hebrews 13:eight). So too are his desires to nurture friendships with his dearest flock.
In short, via John 15:13-fifteen, Jesus – who is God in the mankind – "wants u.s.a. to seehe desires u.s.—he wants us to view ourselves as his honey friends. He wants us nigh him, near his middle." (Hunter 2018)
So what does it mean to be a friend of God?
In broad terms, 'truthful friendship' is a kind of relationship defined by sure key qualities.
Of grade, each of the states differs in how we regard specific friendships with diverse people. No two friendships are exactly the aforementioned.
Still, I believe most of us volition agree that having a true friend by and large involves, at the very least, a 18-carat desire to:
- trust each other;
- exist honest, from the centre;
- give comfort, peculiarly in times of demand.
Similarly, God expresses His desire for united states to enter into such a close and loving friendship with Him, shaped by all the above qualities.
To elaborate, we'll take a wait at the Bible!
God as a friend, Quality #ane: 2-Fashion Trust
In most cases, we tend to trust our closest friends. This is despite the fact that they, like the states, are imperfect and failable people.
This raises the question: if we're already willing to trust our human friends, how much more should we seek to trust God as a friend, who loves united states perfectly and unfailingly? (Psalm 143:eight)
Trust in Him.
Indeed, beyond the Bible, God makes crystal clear His wishes for us to have accented trust in Him.
Trust in the Lord forever, for the Lord, the Lord Himself, is the Rock eternal.
Isaiah 26:iv
Fear of homo will show to exist a snare, but whoever trusts in the Lord is kept safe.
Proverbs 29:25
Many are the woes of the wicked, just the Lord's unfailing love surrounds the one who trusts in Him.
Psalm 32:10
Let the morning bring me give-and-take of Your unfailing love, for I take put my trust in You. Show me the way I should go, for to You I entrust my life.
Psalm 143:8
I could cite dozens more verses – only you become the gist!
God wants us to trust Him. He invites u.s. to put our total faith in Him, not simply equally our divine Creator and heavenly Father – but also as a friend nosotros entrust our lives to.
Trust in the states.
Of course, trust in friendship is always a 2-way street . We hope to have dependable friends who as well feel they can depend on us – with confidence.
Also, God wants to trust u.s.a., also!
He wishes united states of america to seek, obey, and rely on His guidance on things that matter to His centre, small or big.
In so doing, each of u.s.a. tin can slowly be entrusted with more (Luke 16:10). This increment in trust is exactly how friendship grows over time!
Once more, God's desire to trust isn't simply limited to 'big name' people like Moses (Numbers 12.7). Instead, He extends this relational invitation to each of united states of america, beyond contexts.
Every bit illustrated by the Parable of the 3 Servants:
Matthew 25:xix-21Afterward a long time their primary returned from his trip and chosen them to requite an account of how they had used his money. The servant to whom he had entrusted the five bags of silver came forward with 5 more and said, 'Principal, you gave me five numberless of silver to invest, and I have earned five more than.'
The primary was full of praise. 'Well done, my proficient and faithful servant. You have been faithful in handling this small amount, so now I will give you many more responsibilities. Let'due south gloat together!'
Of course, God isn't only talking nigh literal numberless of argent here. Rather, this parable captures His wider aims to entrust us with the calling and duties He has for each of our lives.
In addition, while the parable refers to a master and servants, we remember that Jesus declares his will to also regard usa as friends – insofar equally nosotros follow His commands (John 15:15).
Put just, we are simultaneously God'southward servants and friends, learning to trust in Him as He trusts in united states of america, his befriended worshippers.
God as a friend, Quality #2: Being Honest
Ideally, nosotros try to be truly honest with our closest friends, sharing our real dreams, fears, thoughts, and feelings with each other.
God is always honest with us.
In a similar sense (but to an absolute holy mensurate), God never lies to us – and thus, is ever honest in what He says . He's incomparably more than honest than even our greatest friends!
In hope of eternal life, which God, who never lies, promised earlier the ages began
Titus 1:2
God is not human, that He should lie, not a human beingness, that He should alter his heed. Does He speak and then not act? Does He promise and not fulfill?
Numbers 23:19
And then God has given both His promise and His oath. These 2 things are unchangeable because it is impossible for God to lie. Therefore, we who have fled to him for refuge can accept peachy confidence every bit nosotros agree to the promise that lies before us.
Hebrews half dozen:18
In short, God is the most honest friend we can ever hope to have!
We should ever be honest with God, too.
Let'south face it. No matter how difficult nosotros try, it's impossible for the states to exist 100% honest with our friends, 100% of the time.
Nonetheless, being a friend of God is very, very different.
Why? Well, for starters, God is all-knowing.
That means He knows everything about us, our truest thoughts, our entire lives – even before we do!
For whenever our heart condemns us, God is greater than our heart, and He knows everything.
one John three:twenty
Fifty-fifty before a word is on my tongue, behold, O Lord, y'all know it altogether.
Psalm 139:4
For the Lord sees not as man sees: man looks on the outward appearance, but the Lord looks on the heart.
1 Samuel 16:7
Nevertheless, while God already knows us fully, He still welcomes u.s. to boldly share and open our hearts to Him in prayer. He wants the states to willingly approach Him in full honesty.
Let us then arroyo God'due south throne of grace with confidence, so that we may receive mercy and discover grace to help united states in our time of need.
Hebrews 4:sixteen
Yous volition seek me and find me, when you seek me with all your heart.
Jeremiah 29:13
Moreover, most Psalms (and the Bible on the whole) encourage united states to regularly turn to God, in raw (often messy) honesty, with true and open hearts.
"Out of the depths I cry to you, O Lord; Lord, hear my voice!"
Psalm 130:1
"All my longings lie open up before You, Lord; my sighing is not hidden from You."
Psalm 38:9
Thus, while God is infinitely greater than just 'existence a friend', information technology is by His astonishing grace that He desires such a close relationship with u.s.a..
And this means choosing to trust in His honesty – while honestly sharing our innermost hearts with Him, always.
God as a friend, Quality #iii: The greatest Comforter
We all seek comfort from our friends. Especially so during difficult times, when we're feeling sad, solitary, worried, etc.
Well, the stunning news is that God extends His paw to offer us the truest of all comforts – both every bit our eternal Male parent and the greatest friend we can rely on.
Many Bible verses allow united states know this. Here are but a few:
May Your unfailing love be my comfort, according to Your promise to Your retainer.
Psalm 119:76
Fifty-fifty though I walk through the darkest valley, I will fear no evil, for You lot are with me; Your rod and Your staff, they condolement me.
Psalm 23:4
Praise exist to the God and Father of our Lord Jesus Christ, the Father of compassion and the God of all comfort, who comforts us in all our troubles, and then that nosotros can comfort those in whatsoever trouble with the comfort we ourselves receive from God.
2 Corinthians 1:3
And, every bit Jesus – who wishes for us to call him friend – eternally promises:
Blessed are they that mourn, for they shall exist comforted.
Matthew v:4
In brusk, God is and will always be our most comforting friend, unsurpassed by anyone. We can rest in His steadfast intendance – for every moment, amidst whatsoever occasion.
Determination
Throughout the Bible, and specifically with the words of Jesus, God reveals his keenness for u.s. to trust, be honest with, and have comfort in Him.
With a healthy concurrent fear (i.due east. reverence) of the Lord, these qualities capture the heart of seeing God as a friend who never disappoints united states, as He chooses to dear united states for all eternity.
So, what are you lot waiting for? Open up your hearts upward to befriending God today!
After all, prayers travel way faster than any late-night text you tin can e'er transport.
Amen, my brothers and sisters in Christ. 🙂
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Source: https://themeetingtent.com/god-as-a-friend-what-does-it-mean-to-be-a-friend-of-god/
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