There exists different kinds of relationship, and this includes friendship and family. But one thing I have come to discover in teenagers is that we value our friendship with people and rate it high. At times, we tend to be closer to some friends than we are to our family members. Am I correct? I guess I am. In fact, Proverbs 18:14b says: …and there is a friend that sticks closer than a brother. Woah! even the Bible recognises the essence and depth of friendship.
Now, since we are usually very intimate with our friends, we tell them our worries and pains, we seek advice from them, confide in them, etc. How nice would it be if we become friends with God? Just imagine the depth, you and God as friends. Yes, you can become God’s friend, He can be your best pal who you freely tell your worries, share your pain with and seek advice from before making decisions. So many of us see God as a scary personality that we should be in awe of. Yes, you should be in awe of God for He is indeed awesome and very mighty. However, as mighty as He is, he wants us to be close to him and from the beginning of the world, He has been establishing friendship with humans and anyone is welcome to join the league.
Interested? Want to be God’s friend? Let’s take a ride on how to become God’s friend.
1. Accept Christ as your personal saviour
This is the first application form to fill; salvation form. To be God’s friend, you have to first of all give your life to Christ, surrender all to Him and let Him be the Lord over your life. Every friendship is two-sided, in that both parties have to perform certain duties to make it work. And since God has done his own part by giving us Jesus Christ:
John 3:16 For God so loved the world, that he gave his only begotten Son, that whosoever believeth in him should not perish, but have everlasting life
It is imperative that we also play our own role in believing in Him and accepting Him as Lord.
John 15:13 Greater love hath no man than this, that a man lay down his life for his friends.
You want to accept Jesus Christ as lord, just say this prayer of faith: Lord Jesus, I know you laid down your life for me because you love me and you want me to be friends with God. Thank you for the great invitation to this divine friendship, I accept you today as my Lord and personal saviour; please come into my heart and make me yours.
2. Strive to know him
If you meet a new friend today, I guess you would want to know more about the person, right? This is also applicable to our friendship with God and the best way to know God is through his word; the Bible. Reading the bible is not a hard thing to do; start with a chapter daily and with time, you would get to know God better.
3. Obey his commands
The next step to take is to obey his commandments and instructions. One of the greatest secret to being God’s friend is through obedience. God loves obedient people, he does not take His friendship with them for granted and that was why he cherished his friendship with Abraham because of his submission and obedience. Abraham’s obedience to God’s word when he was told to leave his father’s house endeared him to God. God regarded him as a friend so much that He found it necessary to inform him of His plans concerning Sodom and Gomorrah. And not only that, He gave him the chance to plead on their behalf.
Genesis 18:17 And the LORD said, Shall I hide from Abraham that thing which I do;
Now, do you know why God did that? Let’s see why
Genesis 18:19 For I know him, that he will command his children and his household after him, and they shall keep the way of the LORD, to do justice and judgment; that the LORD may bring upon Abraham that which he hath spoken of him.
It was because God knew Abraham to be an obedient person who would obey him and also teach his children to do the same.
4. Spend time with God
I know many teenagers spend most times with their friends because they feel more comfortable with them. This should also be the way you regard your friendship with God; as God’s friend, you should endeavour to spend time with Him in prayers and worship. Tell him your worries and pains, seek his advice on any issue bothering you. Talk to him as you would your human friend, create time to “hang in” with God in the place of prayer, get intimate with God.
Now that you know how to become God’s friend, what do you intend to do about it? What actions you’re willing to take from this moment? I’ll like to hear from you in the comments below.
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Teens Meet Outreach 