“Abraham believed God, and it was credited to him as righteousness,” and he was called God’s friend. (James 2:23)
Have you ever considered the difference between being a follower of Jesus and being a friend of Jesus? I assure you, the difference is as profound as it is personal. Let’s take a look and see if you are not greatly encouraged.
First, we must understand the order of things from a biblical perspective. You cannot be a friend of Jesus until you are first a follower of Jesus.
He said to them, “Follow me, and I will make you fishers of men.” Matthew 4:19
Jesus makes the first move in our relationship with Him. That first move, of course is that he died for us while we were still sinners, alienated from Him (Romans 5:8; Colossians 1:21). Then He comes to us and calls us to follow Him. In order to follow Jesus, we must be willing to first put down our own nets and pick up His. Jesus wants us to leave our old life behind and begin walking in the newness of our life in Christ.
This means we begin to live for something bigger than the life we are currently living in the flesh; we are to walk by faith in following Jesus. This is a wonderful place to be living as a follower of Jesus, a place where we are more concerned about expanding the cause of His kingdom than building our own little kingdom.
But there is so much more for the Christian! Jesus tells us, “I no longer call you servants . . . Instead, I have called you friends” (John 15:15). The disciples were still followers of Jesus, but now they followed Him as friends, a term which conveys the understanding of deep intimacy. Friendship with God is a place of the highest honor, as the Lord told the prophet Isaiah:
“You, O Israel, my servant,
Jacob, whom I have chosen,
you descendants of Abraham my friend . . .” (Isaiah 41:8)
Israel was God’s “servant,” Jacob was God’s “chosen one,” but Abraham was God’s friend. Here we see clearly that the difference is not found at the level of relationship; all were all in relationship with God, and they all followed their God wherever He led them. The difference is found in the level of intimacy. There was something deeper going on at a heart level between Abraham and God; that is the key to understanding the difference between being a follower and being a friend of God. Moses also enjoyed this kind of intimacy with God; “The Lord would speak to Moses face to face, as a man speaks with his friend” (Exodus 33:11).
How is it with you? Are God’s desires your desires? Are God’s goals your goals in life? Are you able to echo Jesus from your heart and say, “Not my will, but thy will be done”? If your answer is yes, then be encouraged today, for you have entered into the intimate circle of friendship with your God.
And if you are tempted to hand your head and sorrowfully admit, “No, I’m not there,” I have a word of encouragement for you too! Actually, it is God’s Word of encouragement:
Draw near to God, and he will draw near to you. (James 4:8 ESV)
God does not reserve His friendship only for “super saints” . . . the promise is for all who will draw near to Him with a hunger to know Him more. Start by following Him, loving Him, asking Him to help you know Him more, and you will find yourself engaged in the most incredible friendship!
This is the Gospel. This is grace for your race. NEVER FORGET THAT . . . AMEN!
Grace for the Race 