In Touch - Apr. 6, 2009

Suppose I asked you to characterize your relationship with God. Is He like a friend you meet occasionally for coffee? Or is He at the opposite end of the spectrum—a valued member of your household who is included in every aspect of daily life? Most likely, the nature of your bond falls somewhere in between.

Whatever the state of your relationship with the Lord, be assured that He wants something closer and more meaningful. God desires a connection so deep and strong that words like friendship and fellowship cannot fully describe it. He created us for intimacy.

Human beings are the only creatures made in God’s image.  Like Him, we can think, reason, feel, and makes choices, though we do none of these things as fully or perfectly. The attributes that separate people from the rest of creation equip them to relate to the Lord in a unique way. Even the angels, who were designed for worship, cannot commune with the Father as we are invited to do.

Jesus called His followers “friends” (Jn. 15:15), and Paul wrote that believers are sons of God (Gal. 4:7). Those are not distant, impersonal relationships! When we spend time with the Lord, we grow as close to Him as a beloved child to a Father.

Some believers have the mistaken idea that doing something “Christian” is the way to make God happy. But the way to please our Father is by being Christian. He wants us to live in such a way that others see He is our Father and best friend. 

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