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. John 15:15

In the Bible, Jesus describes a beautiful relationship He has with those who believe in Him. He calls this relationship a friendship. Do you ever stop to think about what it means to have a friendship with God?

There are not many times in the Old Testament where God calls someone His friend. Moses was one of the few that had the privilege of having a friendship with God. Exodus 33:11 says, "...the LORD spoke to Moses face to face, as a man speaks to his friend".

In the New Testament, God calls all those who follow Him, friends. What a change! In the Old Testament, being in God's presence, much of the time, resulted in death. And now we are welcomed into God's presence to have face to face fellowship with Him.

Let's think about this for another minute...face to face.

When you are face to face with a friend, you can talk about things that you talk to no one else about. You laugh together, cry together, do things together. What an incredible privilege God gives us.

The difference is the death and resurrection of Jesus. Because of Jesus, we now have the Spirit of God living inside of us. It's the Spirit who awakens our hearts to a friendship with God. Thank you Jesus!

As we get closer to celebrating Resurrection Sunday this month, spend time thanking the Lord for all that He accomplished for you. Not only forgiveness of all your sins and new life, but a beautiful friendship.

Privileges of being a friend of God

Below is a deeper look at some of the wonderful blessings you can be grateful for:

His constant presence. He is always by your side. Our friends on this earth will come and go but you can be sure that God is always with you. He will never leave you.

The Spirit of truth, whom the world cannot receive, because it neither sees Him nor knows Him; but you know Him, for He dwells with you and will be in you. John 14:7

…I will never leave you nor forsake you. Hebrews 13:5

His knowledge and understanding of your life. At times you may feel like no one understands. It’s especially difficult when you feel those you’re closest to don’t understand. But God understands. In fact, He knows you better than you know yourself.

 O Lord, You have searched me and known me. You know my sitting down and my rising up; You understand my thought afar off. You comprehend my path and my lying down, And are acquainted with all my ways. Psalm 139:1-3

Communication with Him. Prayer is a beautiful part of your relationship with God. You can talk to Him about everything. You can pour out your heart to Him and know that He is always listening.

Call to Me, and I will answer you, and show you great and mighty things, which you do not know. Jeremiah 33:3

Trust in Him at all times, you people; Pour out your heart before Him; God is a refuge for us. Psalm 62:8

Revelation from Him. God gives revelation to those who take time to spend with Him. He has many deeper truths to reveal to you as you spend time seeking Him in His word and prayer.

And He said to them, “To you it has been given to know the mystery of the kingdom of God; but to those who are outside, all things come in parables…Mark 4:11

And with many such parables He spoke the word to them as they were able to hear it. But without a parable He did not speak to them. And when they were alone, He explained all things to His disciples. Mark 4:33

His Faithfulness.  God will always keep His promises. He will never lie to you or be unfaithful to you. He is a loyal Friend.

He is the Rock, His work is perfect; For all His ways are justice, A God of truth and without injustice; Righteous and upright is He. Psalm 32:4

His love.  As a friend of God you get to share in the goodness of His unconditional love, comfort and care. 

Greater love has no one than this, than to lay down one’s life for his friends. John 15:13

Just as a father has compassion on his children, So the Lord has compassion on those who fear Him. For He Himself knows our frame; He is mindful that we are but dust. Psalm 103:13-14

His Power. God has power for your life. Through His Spirit you are victorious and able to live a life that pleases Him and a life that’s a blessing to others.

He gives power to the weak, And to those who have no might He increases strength. Isaiah 40:29

But you shall receive power when the Holy Spirit has come upon you; and you shall be witnesses to Me in Jerusalem, and in all Judea and Samaria, and to the end of the earth. Acts 1:8     

There are so many other benefits of friendship with God. The list could be endless. My prayer is that these will encourage your heart to be aware of God's closeness and His goodness to you.

And remember, like any good friendship, the more time spent together the better the relationship becomes. So invest in your relationship with Jesus, because He is graciously invested in you.