Good friendship is truly irreplaceable; it’s value extends far beyond material wealth. Just imagine a life without the support and companionship of friends—such a prospect seems unfathomable, doesn’t it? However, fostering and maintaining healthy friendships requires effort and dedication. During a reflective moment with God, I posed a question:
“What is the single most important quality for being a good friend?”
The words of Jesus provided a profound answer:
“Greater love has no one than this, than to lay down one’s life for his friends. You are My friends if you do whatever I command you. No longer do I call you servants, for a servant does not know what his master is doing; but I have called you friends, for all things that I heard from My Father I have made known to you.”
John 15:13-15
It’s fascinating that Jesus referred to His followers as His “friends.” However, according to Jesus, we can only claim the title of HIS friends if we obediently follow His commands. None of us possess the authority or credibility to make such a statement about ourselves—that is, to require obedience as proof of friendship—for we lack the qualifications. You see, Jesus is righteous, just, and loving and only He made the ultimate sacrifice to secure our salvation. He is flawless, He is Divine, and He is love personified. When we align ourselves with His commandments, we become more like Him. This is proof of our friendship with Him.
As a friend of Jesus, we experience the profound satisfaction of friendship that surpasses the limits of human companionship. Then…friendship with Him cultivates within us His essence—love, joy, peace, goodness, kindness, meekness, gentleness, wisdom, and power!
It is only by embracing friendship with God through obedience to His Word, that we are enabled to become the best possible friend to others.
Strengthening our bond with God empowers us to mirror His character in our relationships.
We become empowered by being a more—loving, kind, patient, humble, gentle and wise friend. We become more like the kind of friend Jesus is to us.
We also ATTRACT this kind of friend!
Don’t you want more friends like Jesus??? Ah, dive deep into your friendship with Jesus. If you are born again, you are equipped for it. Arise each day and commit 100% of all you are and all you have—to Him. He is SO worth it!
God is the Friend who always gives more than He takes.
We would love to hear your thoughts about this devotional. Did God speak to you or challenge your daily walk with him? Or is there a topic that you would like Kimberly to cover or expound on? Please share with us in the comments below.
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2 Responses
amen thank you savior
Amen!