“For since our friendship with God was restored by the death of his Son while we were still his enemies, we will certainly be saved through the life of his Son. So now we can rejoice in our wonderful new relationship with God because our Lord Jesus Christ has made us friends of God.”
- Romans 5:10-11
God is our Creator, our Lord, and our Father. Yet how many of us have thought about our relationship with Christ in the context of friendship?
I remember growing up during my childhood, throughout the day, I would have conversations with Christ through informal prayer that were more akin to that of talking to a wise and trusted friend that I would confide in and seek guidance from. He was the friend that was always with me, supporting me, and loving me. Then somewhere along the way, as I learned more about God, I was in awe of all that He is. I was humbled by God and--for a lack of a better word--'feared' God with reverence. I viewed him as my God of authority, as I should, but then it overshadowed our relationship as friends. There was that sense of reservation as one would in trying not to get in trouble with one's parent.
Read Romans 5:1-11, and note how the passage leads into the revelation of new relationship with God as friends. The passage starts with being made right with God through our faith, building our endurance through trials and hardships, and finding hope and joy through salvation because of Jesus's sacrifice. This is a roadmap to let us know that when we are experiencing times of difficulties, if we have faith, we then ought to know that we have a friendship in God that we can depend on. By seeing God as a friend, as much as He is our Father, Lord, and Creator, it sometimes opens up our relationship in a more accessible manner through times of need.
Reflection: Take a moment and reflect on how your identity as a friend of God changes your perspective on your relationship with Christ.
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