I am a friend of God.

The popular Michael Gungor and Israel Houghton song, Friend of God, provides an amazing truth for those who have a relationship with Jesus Christ and follow him. Abraham had this distinction. James 2:23 says, "... 'Abraham believed God, and it was credited to him as righteousness," and he was called God's friend." Man, I want that!

In John 15, we find interesting truths regarding our friendship with Christ:

• Christ loves us and desires for us to be his friends. He was "mindful" of us from the very beginning and he loved us first. He demonstrated that love through his personal sacrifice.
  (v12-13) ... Love each other as I have loved you. Greater love has no one than this, that he lay down his life for his friends.
• We restore the intended relationship with him when we accept him as Lord. This relationship should show in the way we live.
• To maintain our fellowship with him, our LIFE will evidence his life in us.
  (v14) You are my friends if you do what I command.

As we grow closer to him, we experience that true friendship. Life with him becomes more than just doing what's right because we're commanded to. We do what's right because it pleases him and our love for him overflows with this evidence.

(v15) 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.

"I am a friend of God, he calls me friend." Awesome!