More than Just God

Verse of the day: Exodus 33:11 So the LORD spoke to Moses face to face, as a man speaks to his friend. And he would return to the camp, but his servant Joshua the son of Nun, a young man, did not depart from the tabernacle.

Is God just God in our lives, or is He more than that? What level of intimacy do we have with the Lord? Is it possible for one person to be more intimate with Jesus than another is? The short answer…yes. What determines friendship with the Lord for us today? It begins with Jesus. In Scripture, God refers to both Abraham and Moses as friends (2 Chronicles 20:7; Isaiah 41:8; James 2:23; Numbers 12:8). In the New Testament, we see that Jesus referred to Lazarus as His friend (John 11:11). The Scriptures refer to Jesus’ disciple John as “the disciple Jesus loved” (John 13:23; 19:26; 20:2). What made the difference in the lives of these men that earned them the title of “friend of God” or “the one Jesus loved”. In each case, though they were not perfect, they were obedient, sought to communicate with God often, and were intentional in their efforts. Jesus said to His disciples in John 15:14-15, “You are My friends if you do whatever I command you. 15 No longer do I call you servants, for a servant does not know what his master is doing; but I have called you friends, for all things that I heard from My Father I have made known to you.” We, as born again believers, are all God’s servants. However, Jesus is looking for more than just servants who serve Him strictly out of obedience and duty. He wants us to make the effort to draw near to Him as a friend draws near to a friend. In James 4:8, we are told, “Draw near to God and He will draw near to you.” In Jeremiah 29:12-13 we are also told, “Then you will call upon Me and go and pray to Me, and I will listen to you. 13 And you will seek Me and find Me, when you search for Me with all your heart.” The bottom line is that the level of intimacy we have with Jesus will be determined by the level of effort we put behind developing the relationship. Jesus has already opened the door for us to have whatever level of intimacy we desire to have with Him, and not merely be His servants. When we consider John, the disciple Jesus loved, and how intentional he was in developing his friend with Jesus, it is undeniable that he made a genuine effort. At the last supper, it was John who was leaning on Jesus breast (John 13:23). It was John who was present at the foot of the cross when Jesus was crucified (John 19:25-27). The level of intimacy that existed between Jesus and John was such that John earned the honor of taking care of Jesus’ mother, at Calvary, from that day forward. The opportunity to serve the Lord in that way did not come merely from servanthood, but from a desire that came from an intimate friendship. The Lord wants us to serve Him from a desire that comes from an intimate relationship, not from a servant mentality that says, “I have to do this because Jesus is my Master”. Yes, Jesus is Lord and Master, but He called us “friends”. Think about our earthly friendships. Our best friendships developed out of an effort, on both sides, to spend time with each other, talk constantly, sacrifice for one another, and walk together as often as possible. Jesus desires that we have that same kind of relationship with Him. He will always be present with us, and will always be available to listen, and to fellowship with us. However, we must desire to spend time praying, reading and studying His Word, and serving Him, not because we have to, but because we want to, and will sacrifice whatever we need to in order to be there for Him as a best friends make themselves available to one another. Can our level of intimacy with Jesus be easily seen in how dedicated we are to developing our relationship, and fellowship, with Him? Do we only read our Bibles when we are in church? Do we only pray when we want something? Are we merely servants and acquaintances of Jesus, or are we His intimate friends?

Today, God extends an invitation to you to accept His gift of salvation (Rom 6:23). Will you accept it? Anyone who calls on Jesus, by faith, in repentance, confessing your sins, will receive eternal life. Do not put off calling on Him, and receive Him and His gift of salvation today (Rom 10:13).