Developing Your Friendship with God

Verse to Remember:

Draw close to God, and God will draw close to you. - James 4:8 (NLT)

In the Bible, the friends of God were honest about their feelings, often complaining, second-guessing, accusing, and arguing with their Creator. God, however, didn't seem to be bothered by this frankness; in fact, he encouraged it.

Every time you trust God's wisdom and do whatever he says, even when you don't understand it, you deepen your friendship with God. We don't normally think of obedience as a characteristic of friendship; that's reserved for relationship with a parent or the boss or a superior officer, not a friend. However, Jesus made it clear that obedience is a condition of intimacy with God. He said, "You are my friends if you do what I command" (John 15:14 NIV).

The truth is--you are as close to God as you chose to be. Intimate friendship with God is a choice, not an accident. You must intentionally seek it. Do you really want it--more than anything? What is it worth to you? Is it worth giving up other things? Is it worth the effort of developing the habits and skills required?