Good morning mighty friends of God,
Do you consider yourself a "friend of God"?
You see, we cannot claim to be someone's friend without that person acknowledging that the friendship exists.
I can claim to be Aaron Judge's friend, but he would need to verify my claim.
Truth is I've never met him.
The friendship relationship is indeed an inspiration of Father God.
This concept is found throughout scripture.
I would say is starts with Prv 18:24
"A man who has friends must himself be friendly,
But there is a friend who sticks closer than a brother."
Jesus said, he would never leave you nor forsake you".
Sounds like a good friend to me.
It is my observation that most of us have the wrong posture when dealing with developing friendships....
We look to see "who will be MY friend"... an "about me" posture.
The correct posture would be "who can I be a friend to?"
John 13:34-35 says, "A new commandment I give to you, that you love one another; as I have loved you, that you also love one another. By this all will know that you are My disciples, if you have love for one another.”
Even the greatest commandments, as confirmed by Jesus, says "to love God with all your heart, soul, mind and strength... and love your neighbor as yourself."
I find it interesting that the word "neighbor" is used as it implies "the people around us".
Seems like we need to develop the qualities to BE a friend first, then I can be friendly so we can love and serve my "friends" as Christ has loved us.
So, has God verified if you are his friend, or will he say, "I never knew you"? (Mat 7:23).
Think about it!
Warmest Regards,
Dennis Labriola
Author of Seventh-Inning Stretch: Reflection on the Game of Life
Seventh-Inning Stretch: Reflections on the Game of Life by Dennis Labriola, Paperback | Barnes & Noble® (barnesandnoble.com)
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