Friends of God?

Are you a friend of God? What does it mean to be His friend? Does simply accepting that Jesus died on the cross for your sins bring you into God’s inner circle?

People like to believe that they become God’s friend the moment they accept Jesus as their personal savior. What they fail to realize is that God is not a cheap, group friend. He does not openly reveal Himself, His secrets, His desires to just anyone. To be His friend is a privilege, not a right or an incentive that is offered as a plus when one chooses to accept God’s son. Regrettably, many who claim to know God only simply know the talk, not His voice; knows His acts, but not His ways; knows what He said, but not what He is saying. The truth of the matter is they only know about God, they do not intimately know God. One has to build a relationship with God before he can expect to hear from God. Any thriving relationship involves spending quality time with the other individual. People don’t pour out their life stories to the next person or acquaintance they see walking down the street. In the same manner, God, who is far more superior than us in any way will only reveal himself to those that are truly worthy of His presence. They will not be accounted as worthy because of their deeds, status, or good works; but because of their desire and heart to seek him out.

Biblically speaking, most people are Israelites, and a few people are Abrahams. The Israelites were the chosen ones of God who can be compared to the modern day middling Christian who has eyes, but cannot see; has ears, but cannot hear; has a mind, but cannot understand. Abraham was the man who was known as the friend of God who can be compared with Christians who can see past the situation placed before them, who can hear God’s tender voice, and who can understand God’s heart. The Israelites saw far greater miracles than Abraham ever witnessed, and they heard the word of God through Moses; and yet, they still could not comprehend the majesty that walked before them. The moment they were faced with a problem they turned away from God and rejected Him instead of relying and trusting in Him. Abraham on the other hand had fear, obedience, and reverence to the Lord in every situation he faced and did not turn away from God even when he was to sacrifice his only beloved son. He didn’t seek the miracle to believe, he believed before the miracle. The Israelites only sought to reap God’s benefits while Abraham sought after God’s heart.

Now the simple question remains. Which one are you?

— Sheaba.