He Calls Us Friends!
Thank you for being here to read the post today. Our goal is always to shed light and revelation to those who read, so that they will grow in their walk with the Lord. Our prayer is that you would more clearly understand the Word of God and allow it to change your life. Eric
Rea, the Hebrew word translated ‘friend’ is defined as: friend, close companion, neighbor and fellowman. ‘Friend’ describes a person who stands next to one in life. According to Bible Hub, Topical Lexicon, the word “embraces every layer of human relationship in the Old Testament, from casual interaction in the marketplace to a deep covenantal friendship. Some of the friendships described in the Old Testament are genuine and are steadfast, self-sacrificing and grounded on truth.”
The Greek word translated ‘friend’ is philos and is defined as: dear, associate and neighbor. The root word is phil and conveys experiential personal affection.
An acquaintance on the other hand, is a person whom one knows but is not a particularly close friend. Throughout our lives, we have many acquaintances, such as: classmates, coworkers, neighbors and even some fellow church members. However, when it comes to true (close) friends, there aren’t so many.
My wife, Donna, has in the past relayed this story to me. When she was in college, she met one of those ‘rare’ true friends in her Freshman year. During their summer break, she desired to visit Abby. So Donna had to ask her father if she could use the car and drive 40 miles to visit Abby for a couple of days. Her Dad’s response was very touching and full of wisdom. She has never forgotten it and has tried to ‘live’ by it ever since. Donna’s father said, “I have never had a friend like that. If you have a special friend, you need to do everything you can to cultivate that friendship.”
Friendship is an important topic - and today we are going to examine some awesome truths the Lord has given us in His Word about being a friend.
A true friend is one that loves at all times. Proverbs 17:17 reads, “A friend loves at all times and a brother is born for adversity.” When you have a true friend, you develop a bond that grows into a close companionship or being a confidant. That bond transcends being an acquaintance. The ‘brother’ who is born for adversity is not simply speaking of a biological sibling, but one who acts with loyalty and support, especially during times of hardship. “Friendship is at its best, not in prosperity, but in times of trouble.” (Textual notes, NSFLB). We see an excellent example of this kind of loyalty and support between Ruth and Naomi, after Naomi lost her husband and both sons. Ruth would not leave her. (Ruth 1:16 and 17).
Proverbs 18:24 (ESV), “A man of many companions may come to ruin, but there is a friend who sticks closer than a brother.“ This verse warns that there is a potential for sadness and brokenness (ruin) for a person who has many superficial relationships. A true friend can and will provide support in times of trouble. However, having many ’companions or acquaintances’ does not guarantee loyalty or help in adversity.
Jesus spoke an amazing truth to His disciples at the Last Supper, prior to His crucifixion. John 15:14 and 15 reveals, “You are my friends if you do what I command. 15 I no longer call you servants, because a servant does not know his master's business. Instead, I have called you friends, for everything that I learned from my Father I have made known to you.” In verse 14, when Jesus declared that He would call those who obey Him friends, we need to realize that ‘friendship’ with Him is contingent upon obedience. The concept of friendship with God was not new. We remember that Abraham was called a friend of God. (James 2:23). Isn’t it wonderful to know that God’s desire to have an intimate and personal relationship with His followers carries on past the Old Testament?
In verse 15, the word ‘servant’ doulous in the Greek, signifies a bond slave or a believer who willingly lives under Christ’s authority as His devoted follower. Up until that time, the disciples were servants of Christ. The word ‘master’ kyrios properly describes an individual exercising absolute ownership rights, Lord. The Lord is our Master. He created us and breathed His breath of life into us. Without Him, we would not exist. And yet, by His desire, He takes us from the Master/slave relationship to so much more.
Verse 15 continues with these words of Jesus, “But I have called you friends.” ‘Called’ ereo, in the Greek, conveys a “decisive utterance and includes the meaning of: reveal, promise or fulfill.” “The Greek word for ‘friend’ is philos. Philos, in this context, refers to someone dearly loved or prized, in a personal intimate way; a trusted confidant, held dear in a close bond of personal affection. We also take note that the root word, phil, conveys experiential personal affection. Thus, ‘‘philos’ expresses experiential base love.” (Bible Hub /HELPS word-studies). So, the friendship we are blessed to experience with the Lord, comes from an intimate relationship!
That is an amazing revelation for us, because it indicates the ‘friend’ status we have with the Lord is very personal for each one of us. His desire is that we each experience a very personal intimate relationship and friendship with Him, based on love! Praise God!
The freedictionary.com defined ‘friend’ as: “A person known well to another and regarded with liking, affection, and loyalty; an intimate.”
‘Friend’ or ‘freon’ in the Old English, according to Word History means: “one who loves.”
Antimaximalist.com describes a ‘true blue friend’ in this way: “A true blue friend is one who’s loyal and consistently proves themselves to be genuinely there for you. They’re ready to support you in any battle you have in life, no matter how difficult it is.”
Yes, a true friend remains faithful even when we fail or make mistakes. They stay by you even when all others reject you. A true friend sticks with you through the good and the bad. It is a major blessing from the Lord for us to have a friend or friends like that! Even better though, is that those words also describe the relationship Jesus offered and desires to have with us!
Jesus declares, if we obey His commands, we are His friend. Jesus will always remain loyal to His friends in every situation they face in life.
Your friend Jesus :
Will never abandon you - Hebrews 13:5c reveals, “God has said, "Never will I leave you; never will I forsake you." The words of Jesus in Matthew 28:20b reads, “And surely I am with you always, to the very end of the age." These verses are promises of God’s presence and faithfulness. These promises enable believers to trust in God’s unfailing presence and provision.
Is Selfless - Philippians 2:3-8, “Do nothing out of selfish ambition or vain conceit. Rather, in humility value others above yourselves, 4 not looking to your own interests but each of you to the interests of the others. 5 In your relationships with one another, have the same mindset as Christ Jesus: 6 Who, being in very nature God, did not consider equality with God something to be used to his own advantage; 7 rather, he made himself nothing by taking the very nature of a servant, being made in human likeness. 8 And being found in appearance as a man, he humbled himself by becoming obedient to death--even death on a cross!” Nuggets we can gain from these verses include: Selfish ambition is a work of the flesh. True Christian service is about serving others! Biblical humility involves recognizing your total dependence on God! Self-centeredness is a fundamental human value (virtue). Believers are directed to be selfish-less and humble. Jesus emptied Himself and took on the ‘form,’ the essence or nature of a servant for you.
Is Accepting - Romans 5:8, “But God demonstrates his own love for us in this: While we were still sinners, Christ died for us.” He proves His love for us by accepting us while we are still sinners! Matthew 9:10, “While Jesus was having dinner at Matthew's house, many tax collectors and sinners came and ate with him and his disciples.” Tax collectors throughout the New Testament are described as being sinners, despised and ritually unclean. John 10:16, “I have other sheep that are not of this sheep pen. I must bring them also. They too will listen to my voice, and there shall be one flock and one shepherd.” Jesus transcended ethic and cultural barriers when He revealed the mystery of the gospel to and included Gentiles into the church! He stated there “shall be one flock and one shepherd!”
Is Caring - 1 Peter 5:7 (NKJV), “casting all your care upon Him, for He cares for you.” ‘Care’ translates into: distractions, anxieties, burdens and worries. “The Father’s love provides for both our daily needs and our special needs.” (Textual notes, NSFL).
Is Not Judgmental - In John 8:3-11, we read an account when Jesus did not condemn a woman caught in adultery. His response to the woman after the confrontation was, “Neither do I condemn you, go and sin no more.”
Will Not Reject - We read these extremely encouraging words in John 6:37b (NRSV), “and anyone who comes to Me I will never drive away.” He will not reject or cast you out. He keeps and preserves all those who come to Him.
Romans 8:38 and 39 reads, “For I am convinced that neither death nor life, neither angels nor demons, neither the present nor the future, nor any powers, 39 neither height nor depth, nor anything else in all creation, will be able to separate us from the love of God that is in Christ Jesus our Lord.” You will never have a friend more faithful loyal and trustworthy than Jesus. He will always be your help and trusted friend.
I want to encourage you with these last thoughts. Since we are sinners saved by grace, we realize we are not perfect people. However, as a born again believer, we have been called to ‘be perfect’ as He is perfect. We need to set some goals for our lives. Knowing the ‘Friend’ we have is Christ, we need to set a goal that we would remember that we can relate to Him as a friend.
Then also, we need to set a goal to be that ‘same kind’ of friend, as He is to us, to those we meet. Remember, whatever He calls us to - He equips. He has filled us with His Holy Spirit, love and power. Our lives should daily increase in godliness, as we live our life, as a friend of God. We need to strive wholeheartedly to live the life God has called us to live.
You have a Special Friend in Jesus and you need to do everything you can to cultivate that friendship. Make an effort to spend time with Him. Spend time in His Word, in prayer, or in other words, listening to and talking with Him and giving Him an opportunity to speak to you as well. Then, don’t forget to worship Him, for He is surely worthy!
He calls you, “Friend.” I pray you will enter into that intimate relationship with Him now, if you have not done so. What is the requirement for that beautiful relationship with God? ‘Come’ to Him and ‘do’ what He commands.
Unless noted otherwise all Scriptures were taken from the New International Version.
NSFLB New Spirit Filled Life Bible
NKJV New King James Version
NRSV New Revised Standard Version