You Are My Friends

by Scarlett Stough

For the Scripture References and related Bible Study Guide, go to Bible Study Guide: Friend of God.

Jesus calls his disciples "friends*;" not only the original twelve, but all those who, down through the ages, will trust him and follow his teachings (John 15:13-15; John 17:20-21).

Abraham was called "Friend of God" (James 2:23). When God had decided to put a stop to the violence and immorality in Sodom, he said, "Shall I hide from Abraham that thing which I do…?"(Genesis 18:17 KJV).

When God spoke to Moses, he spoke to him "face to face, as a man speaketh unto his friend" (Exodus 33:11 KJV).

Micah lamented the unfaithfulness of friends and relatives and decided:

Therefore I will look unto the LORD; I will wait for the God of my salvation: my God will hear me.
Micah 7:7 KJV
(See also Micah 7:1-6)

When people disappoint us, betraying or abandoning us, God will not. His friendship is forever. His love never fails.

When we commit to following Jesus, we are committing to becoming the kind of friend he is, faithful, generous, helpful, available, and confidential as well as accepting, forgiving and affectionate.

*5384 philos: "primarily an adjective, denoting 'loved, dear, or friendly' became used as a noun." (The New Strong's Expanded Exhaustive Concordance of the Bible, Thomas Nelson Publishers).