i like to think of Jesus as my friend and i have no problem saying it. indeed, a lot of us like to say Jesus is our friend. some might put it this way: "Jesus is my homeboy!", "I'm down w/ JC!", "I'm tight w/ Christ!", etc. you get the idea, i'm sure. i like these phrases and have even caught myself saying them a time or two - probably just to be cool.
but i have been wondering, pondering and taking a look at how i view God and Christ. does God want to be my friend? what does it mean for God to be my friend or for me to be a friend of God? but i think most importantly, am i getting myself into trouble when i press this character trait of God?
i believe i am.
i wonder when looking through the Bible and seeing how friend is used, if it is to show the relational attribute of God? the LORD God is personal - He is a people person! He is kind, loving, our help, he shows mercy and lifts up the lowly. helps those in need. He is also our Father, by caring for us, taking care of our needs by providing what we need. He is our Savior by supplying the sacrifice through Christ to take away the sins of the world. He is LORD of lords and King of kings. He is LORD.
you see, i wonder if we are filling our minds and thoughts of God as being such a great friend, Father, etc that we forget most importantly - He is LORD! He is to be LORD of our life! but are we afraid that if we acknowledge God as LORD of our life, it will mean having to change or actually be obedient to His word? b/c if we think about it - if i think about it - if Jesus is my friend then it is okay to just try and get by, to do the best i can. but is doing OUR best, really best? doesn't God call us to be holy? mediocrity - holiness - mediocrity - holiness. do what i like, what i want or do what God wants/commands - self-centered or God-centered? it isn't that friendship is bad, but God isn't satisfied with being my friend. He wants to be LORD!
to be honest - these are tough things for me to ask myself b/c i know the answer. it is much easier to do what i want rather than what God wants. it is easier to work to bring glory to myself, rather than the One who deserves it. i realize that i have not put God first. that i have not been obedient to His Word. i am not consciously making decisions to glorify God. i am not striving to "be holy, because [God] am holy" - Leviticus 11:45 niv; 1 Peter 1:16 niv)
so the next 2 questions. 1. what does it mean to make God LORD of your life? and 2. what does it mean to "be holy". as i go on this journey on holiness, i want to remember that while God is a friend to sinners; He really is so much more.
but i have been wondering, pondering and taking a look at how i view God and Christ. does God want to be my friend? what does it mean for God to be my friend or for me to be a friend of God? but i think most importantly, am i getting myself into trouble when i press this character trait of God?
i believe i am.
i wonder when looking through the Bible and seeing how friend is used, if it is to show the relational attribute of God? the LORD God is personal - He is a people person! He is kind, loving, our help, he shows mercy and lifts up the lowly. helps those in need. He is also our Father, by caring for us, taking care of our needs by providing what we need. He is our Savior by supplying the sacrifice through Christ to take away the sins of the world. He is LORD of lords and King of kings. He is LORD.
you see, i wonder if we are filling our minds and thoughts of God as being such a great friend, Father, etc that we forget most importantly - He is LORD! He is to be LORD of our life! but are we afraid that if we acknowledge God as LORD of our life, it will mean having to change or actually be obedient to His word? b/c if we think about it - if i think about it - if Jesus is my friend then it is okay to just try and get by, to do the best i can. but is doing OUR best, really best? doesn't God call us to be holy? mediocrity - holiness - mediocrity - holiness. do what i like, what i want or do what God wants/commands - self-centered or God-centered? it isn't that friendship is bad, but God isn't satisfied with being my friend. He wants to be LORD!
to be honest - these are tough things for me to ask myself b/c i know the answer. it is much easier to do what i want rather than what God wants. it is easier to work to bring glory to myself, rather than the One who deserves it. i realize that i have not put God first. that i have not been obedient to His Word. i am not consciously making decisions to glorify God. i am not striving to "be holy, because [God] am holy" - Leviticus 11:45 niv; 1 Peter 1:16 niv)
so the next 2 questions. 1. what does it mean to make God LORD of your life? and 2. what does it mean to "be holy". as i go on this journey on holiness, i want to remember that while God is a friend to sinners; He really is so much more.
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