For if, when we were enemies, we were reconciled to God by
the death of his Son, much more, being reconciled, we shall be saved by his
life. Romans 5:10
What is the criteria we use when selecting a friend? Many
times it is a natural process. We meet someone where the dialog comes
easy. To be in their presence, is
enjoyable. The fellowship is not cumbersome. We do not have to put on an act,
or guard our tongue at all times. We are comfortable enough around someone,
knowing they will accept us, as we are. A true friend will love at all times,
even when we do something wrong.
I have heard many excuses as to why some do not want God in
their life, much less, have Him as a friend. I have heard some say, “I am too bad.” Some
believe that He is an untouchable, unapproachable God. I have even read the story of a mother who
said, “I could not serve a cruel God who sacrificed His own son.”
I want to clear up some of these thoughts with scripture. Romans
5:8 sheds light on the excuse of being too bad. “But God showed his great love
for us by sending Christ to die for us while we were still sinners.” Jesus did
not wait to die on the cross until we were perfect. He came while we were in
our cesspool of sin. He loves us despite our sin. It was specifically for this
very reason, He came into this world.
Hebrews 4:15-16 clears up excuse number two. “For we do not
have a high priest who is unable to empathize with our weaknesses, but we have
one who has been tempted in every way, just as we are—yet he did not sin. Let
us then approach God’s throne of grace with confidence, so that we may receive
mercy and find grace to help us in our time of need.” Jesus empathizes with our
pain and suffering, because He experienced it. He came and bridged the gap between
God and us. God is the opposite of unapproachable, because He yearns to gather
His children in His arms of love.
Excuse number three is resolved in the scripture found in
John 1:18, “No one has ever seen God, but the one and only Son, who is himself God.”
It was not a cruel God who sacrificed His
Son, but rather the Father who manifested Himself in the flesh and blood of
Jesus Christ. God, himself, felt those nails in His hands and feet. The Creator,
Himself, poured out the blood on His universe. This does not depict a cruel
God, but instead a God of great compassion and love for all mankind.
I present to you a true God of love; a God to be desired, a
God to be trusted, an approachable lover of our soul. Our alliance with Him,
brings us His grace gifts of forgiveness, unconditional love, and eternal hope.
When we make Him our number one friend, we will experience the sweetest, most
beneficial friendship ever.
Thank you Father God, for being a true friend, who can be
trusted. Through Jesus Christ, Amen
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