I’ve heard it ever since I became a Christian. I’ve even said it myself.

But is it true? Is God your friend?

God’s friends believe in Jesus, but believing in Jesus doesn’t make you His friend. Just ask a demon. (On second thought, don’t.)

God’s friends go to church, but going to church doesn’t make you His friend. There are plenty of church-goers who aren’t even Believers.

God’s friends live their lives doing good, but doing good doesn’t make you His friend. Lots of people spend their lives doing good in a great number of ways – including witches and New Age followers.

God’s friends give generously, but giving generously doesn’t make you His friend. Some atheists are extremely generous.

God’s friends follow church rules, but following church rules doesn’t make you His friend. Not even following the Ten Commandments makes you His friend.  In the New Testament, Paul had a lot to say about living by the Law, and it wasn’t good.

God’s friends read the Bible, but reading the Bible doesn’t make you His friend.  Some people search it for ways to debunk Christians.

God’s friends love Him, but loving God doesn’t make you His friend. People love celebrities (think Elvis), but that doesn’t make them friends.

So what does make you His friend?

Jesus answered that in John 15:14  “You are My friends if you do what I command you.”

He didn’t say…

You are My friends if you do what the world commands.

You are My friends if you do what religious leaders command.

You are My friends if you do what your heart commands.

He said, “You are My friends if you do what I command.”

Obedience to what God says. Jesus said a lot in the New Testament about how He wants us to live. And He continues today to tell us what He wants us to do, usually through the prompting of the Holy Spirit. He speaks to us through the Bible (and other books), through other people (both Christians and non-Christians), through circumstances (both good and bad), and through a quiet voice we can sense in our hearts. He is not limited on how He speaks to us. The methods He chooses are not all the same, but no matter how He speaks, His voice is recognized by His people.

But what if we can’t hear Him? Jesus said we would know His voice. If we don’t, maybe we aren’t really His friend. Maybe we’re living our lives for ourselves. Maybe we’re allowing Him in some places in our lives, but not in others. Maybe we pick and choose which of His commands we follow. Maybe we don’t care enough to pay the cost of His friendship; instead we take His grace for granted. Maybe we don’t know that He can and wants to be our friend.

Is God your friend? I hope so. If not, He’s not the one holding back.

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John 10:27-28 My sheep hear my voice, and I know them, and they follow me.  I give them eternal life, and they will never perish, and no one will snatch them out of my hand.

John 14:21  Whoever has my commandments and keeps them, he it is who loves me. And he who loves me will be loved by my Father, and I will love him and manifest myself to him.”