FRIEND OF GOD

Posted on by Angel Lovoy Moore

Day 9 – Who He Says I Am Series

“I no longer call you servants, because a servant does not know His master’s business. Instead, I have called you friends, for everything that I learned from my Father I have made known to you.” – John 15:15

In Christ –

YOU ARE A FRIEND OF GOD

He made known to you His great love and affection for you! He calls you “Friend!”

I have observed that, very generally speaking, there are two types of people when it comes to the definition of a friend.  One group, the overly inclusive group, defines anyone that they know, that they interact with and don’t have animosity toward, as a friend.  The other group is much more exclusive.  This group considers most people that they interact with in a friendly way, merely a friendly acquaintance, but they reserve the definition of a true friend as one who opens up and shares or reveals their inner thoughts and feelings. Someone with whom they feel safe enough with, to do the same. A relationship that goes beyond pleasantries and pretenses to one that is transparent and authentic.  Neither group is right or wrong, but you likely fall into one or the other.  I love that God’s definition of friend covers all the definitions.  Because of what Jesus did on the cross in our place, taking all of God’s wrath for sin, Our Daddy God is not angry with us. He is not mad at you. He didn’t save or hold back any wrath to take out on you. Jesus, by becoming our sin on the cross, received all the wrath that God had against sin. Every single bit of it. There is none left for you or for me.  Imagine a bucket of wrath that was dumped out on the cross. It is now empty. As we place our faith in Christ, we are supernaturally placed into the body of Christ that was crucified, received the wrath, and then raised to life again.  Our Daddy God now sees us in Christ and Christ in us.  Just like the first group of friends, He has no animosity toward us. He calls us friends.  And just like the second group, He opens up to us with His deepest secrets and desires.  He has bestowed His most extravagant display of love and reveals His heart of grace to us. Once we open our eyes to see the safety that we have in HIm, we can come to Him like the second friend group as well, feeling free to share our deepest thoughts, secrets, and feelings with our heavenly Father without any pretenses.  He already knows them, but when we bring them to Him, it deepens our own level of safety we feel with Him. This is where true intimacy with God comes from. We now understand that we are free to boldly approach His throne of Grace. (Hebrews 4:16) We can truly be transparent and authentic, because we are friends of God. You may have felt like pastors or priests are called friends, and that you are merely an acquaintance. This is not true. He dwells within you. You can’t get any closer to Him than being indwelt. The pastor or priest is no closer to God than you. Don’t think of yourself as an acquaintance, but rest in knowing that He calls you friend. Friend is how He sees you. That is who you are. 

FRIEND OF GOD – is your Identity! 

Daily Reminder

You don’t have to work to be a Friend of God, you already are a Friend of God because Christ gave you a new identity. His identity. This is who you are because of who He is, not who you have to try to become.

– Religion tells us what to do to become, which equals self reliance – the focus is on self.

– The truth of the Gospel tells us who we are because of who Jesus is and what He did – the focus is on Jesus.

Good News  – Our Father in heaven is pleased with you because of what Jesus did – it all hinges on Him not us.

We are in union with Christ (1 Corinthians 6:17). When our Daddy in heaven looks at you, He sees Jesus, and He is nothing but pleased. (Matthew 3:17)

Rest in Him today.

Heavenly Father,

Thank You for being a Friend to me and for considering me Your friend. What an honor and joy to be able to come to You with anything and without special or fancy words, but with authenticity and vulnerability. Your friendship is pure and there for me at all times. Thank You Jesus!

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Published by Angel Lovoy Moore

I must admit that I am a bit of an enigma: a half-Italian Alabama native who hosts giant groups of friends and family every chance I get, but will also sneak away to a private corner to read a good book or journal my latest thoughts. I will cook a creative gourmet feast from scratch without any recipe or measurements, but also enjoy a quick and simple meal at the local cozy hole-in-the-wall diner down the street. I have been married to my childhood family friend for 25 years with whom I share 3, nearly all adult children, and am deeply passionate about Grace, Family, and Faith. I am passionate about pointing people to Jesus. I am compelled to share what He has done in my life and all that He has taught me. I desperately want people to see Him for who He really is and not all the attachments that religion has put on Him. I long for people, believers and unbelievers alike, to understand the Truth - the uncensored, un-manipulated Truth of the Gospel. Because of the blood of Jesus, the Life He gave on the Cross, we are unconditionally loved by the Father and once we place our faith in Jesus, we are forever in right standing with God. It is the power of the finished work of the Cross. I am in awe and live to proclaim- Thank You Jesus! Come along with me as we Journey to Grace Land!