Ye are my friends, if ye do whatsoever I command you. Henceforth I call you not servants; for the servant knoweth not what his lord doeth: but I have called you friends; for all things that I have heard of my Father I have made known unto you.
John 15:14-15.
There is a popular hymn that I like so much, this hymn is one of my favorites out of thousands of hymns. And the first stanza thus goes:
“What a friend we have in Jesus
all our sins are grief’s to bear
what a privilege to carry
everything to God in prayer
oh what peace we often forfeit
oh what needless pain we bear
all because we do not carry
everything to God in prayer”
There are some friends that we hold high esteem because they occupy a big part in our heart so much so that we can almost never do without them. Sometimes, whenever this friend is around, we feel more secured, safe and happy because he or she has become part of us.
But there is a friend that sticks closer than a brother or anybody and His name is JESUS.
One thing I want you to know is that nobody on earth can bear all your burdens, and never get tired at a certain point. This is owing to the fact that firstly, man is limited, and secondly, they also have their burdens to carry to carry as well.
Do you also know that your best friend today can be your worst enemy tomorrow, they can even fail you? But Jesus is the only true friend who cares for all our needs and he can never fail neither can He get tired. He remains the same yesterday, today and forever till eternity. (See Hebrews 13:8).
Jesus is the only true friend we can ever have, because He’s ever dependable and reliable, He never sleeps, he never slumbers, He never disappoint, He is the ever present help in time of need.
When you make Jesus your friend, you are no more a servant neither are you a slave, you are now a chosen generation, a royal priesthood, a peculiar people called out of darkness in to his marvelous light. (See 1 Peter 2:9).
I can boldly tell you this truth because I’ve seen Jesus rose up for me countless times and He’s still faithful till date by showing Himself strong and mighty in my life.
Jesus is the only one that can never leave you or neither forsakes you. Even if men seems so far from you, and it seems the future looks cloudy, trust in Jesus, He is ever willing to help you and you will never be put to shame.
What Must I Do to Become His Friend?
If you want to be a friend of Jesus, there is some certain terms and conditions that you meet.
1.Confess and forsake your sins
To be a friend of Jesus, you must first get rid of your sins by confess them to Him, after confessing your sins, you must make up your mind to forsake all your sins. Confessing your sins to him would not be enough if you are not ready to forsake them all.
2. Be born again
To be born again simply means to surrender your life to Jesus, to acknowledge him as your personal Lord and savior so that he will wash away your sins and give you a brand new beginning.
3. Pant after Him
Now that you are born again, you must now begin to pant after him, study the bible, disconnect yourself from every ungodly association and relationship. You must begin to seek after his presence by worshiping, praying praising and fellowshipping with other Christian brethren.
4. Live Holy
Holiness is one of the greatest key to be a friend of Jesus. Live holy for our God is holy. Without holiness, no man can ever be a friend of Jesus Christ and no man can see God.
5. Abide in him
Abide in me, and I in you. As the branch cannot bear fruit of itself, except it abide in the vine; no more can ye, except ye abide in me. I am the vine, ye are the branches: He that abideth in me, and I in him, the same bringeth forth much fruit: for without me ye can do nothing. If a man abide not in me, he is cast forth as a branch, and is withered; and men gather them, and cast them into the fire, and they are burned. If ye abide in me, and my words abide in you, ye shall ask what ye will, and it shall be done unto you. John 15:4-7.
6. Obey him completely
Half obedience is no obedience at all. Anyone who wants to be a friend of God must obey him totally. You either obey fully or you don’t at all. And if you don’t obey him, how then can you be His friend.
7. Love what he loves
One thing Jesus hates so much is sin. And sin can be in any form, it can be anger, impurity, lying, stealing, cheating, backbiting, bitterness against your neighbor etc. Disconnect yourself from anything that God won’t approve well. Anything that doesn’t glorify God is not worth doing, so disengage yourself from it completely.
Beloved, Jesus is the only true and best friend we can ever have. When you are weak come to him, He will make you strong, when you are helpless He will help you, when you are hopeless, He will give you hope, when you are broken, he will heal you, when you are defenseless, He will defend you. When you are empty, He will fill you, others may forsake you but He will never forsake you.
Are you ready to be his friend, If you are ready to surrender to him, He’s ever ready to be your friend and to partner with you, invite Him into your life today and you‘ll never regret you did. God bless you.
Prayer: Lord Jesus, I’m ready to be your friend, come in to my life and make me your friend forever, consecrate me and give me a new beginning, thank you for accepting me Lord, in Jesus name, Amen.
