God created us with a need for relationships. It is true some need relationships more than others, while others seem to go through an excessive number of relationships. Yet most everyone cherishes the good relationships they have.
However, not everyone knows how to be a good friend. When I was a teenager, I found out who I considered to be my two best friends, were only so because their parents knew that if I was with them, they would not do something terrible. While I appreciated their parents’ trust, my trust level in so-called friends faded away. I wondered what Jesus experienced that led Him to feel as John recorded. Jesus didn’t trust them (the people), because he knew human nature (John 2:24, NLT2).
Whatever that experience was, while it led to Him being cautious, it did not hinder Him from wanting relationships. The same has been true for me. Despite my unintentional reticence, I have been so grateful for those who have faithfully been a good friend to me for decades. I am humbled and feel deeply indebted to them for their patient love.
I experienced another level of awe that God, the Creator of all that there is, loves me the way I am. David expressed his awe of this when he wrote what is man that you are mindful of him, and the son of man that you care for him? (Psalm 8:4, ESV). It is beyond my ability to understand that God showed his great love for us by sending Christ to die for us while we were still sinners. Romans 5:8 (NLT2). What would motivate God, who needs absolutely NOTHING, yet gave so much for each of us, especially me?
Jesus made a very insightful statement to disciples when He told them, I have called you friends, for everything that I learned from my Father I have made known to you (John 15:15b, NIV). That friendship was certainly not because of their behavior, knowledge, or ability. In fact, He said, You did not choose me, but I chose you and appointed you to go and bear fruit–fruit that will last (John 15:16a, NIV).
I was so awestruck with that this morning it kept bouncing around in my mind and brought tears to my eyes. We find a clue to what motivates God to call someone His friend in the words He said before he made the above statements. He said, You are my friends if you do what I command (John 15:14, NLT2). He is NOT referring to obedient behavior! We all know a person can force him/herself to preform right when their attitude wreaks with selfishness. He is referring to the attitude of the heart that motivates a person to perpetually do what He commands. The high and lofty one who lives in eternity, the Holy One, says this: “I live in the high and holy place with those whose spirits are contrite and humble. I restore the crushed spirit of the humble and revive the courage of those with repentant hearts (Isaiah 57:15, NLT2)
We are not only His friends, He also treasures those who love Him with their whole being. (Ex 19:5; 2 Chron. 16:9) I have sensed deep within that I am God’s treasured friend, not because of my performance or knowledge, but solely because my heart is obsessed with giving Him my all. Rest assured, when your inner being is totally in love with Him, you, too, are His treasured friend. Let your mind soak on that incredible fact!
God’s treasured friend. What a fantastic thought.