Becoming Best Friend With God
Our relationship with God has many different aspects: God is our Creator, Lord, Master, Savior, Redeemer, Father and much more. It is easier to comprehend a Father-Child relationship than to imagine the possibility of an intimate friendship between God and Human being. But the most shocking truth is this: Almighty God yearns to be our best friend! In Eden before the fall of man, we see God’s ideal relationship with Adam and Eve- a simple loving relationship that isn’t complicated. The secret of friendship with God isn’t just about changing what we do (being born again), but changing our attitude towards what we do. You will never grow a close relationship with God by just attending church once a week or even having a daily quiet time. Friendship with God is built by sharing all your life experiences with him.
Through constant conversation- Just as it is with human-to-human friendships; friendship with God is built through a continuous, open-ended conversation with Him. It is important to establish the habit of a daily devotional time with God, but God wants more than an appointment in your daily schedule. Develop the habit of being in God’s presence throughout the day; by saying short “Breath Prayers” to God. Short prayers like: “Thank You Jesus”. “You are with me.” “I receive your grace.” I’m depending on You.” “You are my God.” “To God be the glory”. “I love you Lord”. Don’t converse with God to feel good; do it for a continuous awareness that God is always present. Knowing and loving God is our greatest privilege, and being known and loved is God’s greatest pleasure. 1 Thess. 5:17-18, Philippians 4:6-7, Luke 18:1, Colossians 4:2.
Through continual meditation- The second way to build your friendship with God is by thinking about His promises (word of assurance) to you throughout the day. While you cannot spend all day studying the word, you can think about it throughout the day. Instead of thinking about the deceptions of the devil (worrying), think about God’s word over and over in your mind (meditation). The more you review God’s word in your mind, the more you will understand and realize that God is a reliable friend that doesn’t go back on His Words. Friends share secrets. God want to share His secrets with you. Develop the habit of thinking about His word throughout the day. John 15:15, Romans 12:2, Mathew 5:8, Jeremiah 15:16, Joshua 1:8.
Through Expression of Love to Others- John 15:12-14 “This is My commandment, that you love one another as I have loved you…You are My friends if you do whatever I command you.” Friendship grows by respecting the Do’s and Don’ts of a relationship. The third way to build your friendship with God is by respecting and obeying His Do’s and Don’ts (commandments). The 10 commandments were summarized by Jesus into two commandments. “Love God and love others”. Mathew 22:37-40, Romans 12:9-18, John 13:34-35, 1 John 4:7-21.