Jesus, Our "FRIEND"
In the Word of God, we are told that Jesus is a FRIEND, that sticks to us, closer than a brother (Proverbs 18:24b).
The sad thing is, so often we don't really know it, or haven't yet
experienced such an intimate friendship with Jesus, in such a personal
way. This was the case in my own life, for
the first half of it. I did not have a personal relationship with
Jesus, and because of it, my life was most empty. Oh yes, I believed in
Jesus (in my head), but only saw Him in my mind, as somewhere
far away, way above the clouds. I did not know Him in my heart, and
that's where it count's the most ... a relationship of the heart. My
life became so miserable, even to the point of no longer wanting to
live, and it was in that very place, that I met Jesus in a most intimate
way, and it was, at that time, that I realized I had just met this most
awesome, caring, wonderful, loving, precious FRIEND ... a FRIEND like no other ... a "TRUE FRIEND". Instantly, upon opening my heart to Him, I knew within my heart, that He would always be faithful and true to me, that He would always love
me, and that I'd never again experience being empty and alone. Such love did I experience when I told Jesus I wanted to know if He was
real, and that if He was, to please "show me". Never had I known such love! That was many years ago, and I can still say today, He is my very "BEST FRIEND", and He has always been most faithful and true to me ... so loving, and caring, and kind.
Let's take a look at a few verses that tell of His faithfulness to us: From the Amplified Bible:
Faithful is He Who is calling you [to Himself] and utterly trustworthy,
and He will also do it [fulfill His call by hallowing and keeping you]
... (1 Thessalonians 5:24).
Continuing on, we
are told that Christ Himself is trustworthy, and will keep us,
fulfilling His perfect will in our lives. We only need to entrust our
hearts into His keeping. He is faithful to do that which is promised in Scripture, to continue and complete the salvation process that He faithfully began in us. He is faithful to forgive us:
If we confess our sins, he is faithful and just to forgive us [our] sins, and to cleanse us from all unrighteousness (1 John 1:9 KJV).
If we have sinned against our Heavenly Father, He is faithful to forgive us, and to cleanse us (set us free from sin) and to purify us, as
well. This of course, doesn't give us license to go on, purposely
sinning (or doing those things we know are wrong), besides, why would we
want to sin against the most wonderful FRIEND we've ever known? Rather
than continuing in sin, we ought to take our sins to Him in prayer, and
trust in Him, and His faithfulness, to forgive us, and to free us from whatever bondage we might be
experiencing in our life. If you miss the mark again, come to Him again,
and just keep on coming. Because of His faithfulness, you will find
freedom, just as this next verse promises:
And from
Jesus Christ, [who is] the faithful witness, [and] the first begotten of
the dead, and the prince of the kings of the earth. Unto him that loved
us, and washed us from our sins in his own blood, and hath made us
kings and priests unto God and his Father; to him [be] glory and
dominion for ever and ever. Amen (Revelation 1:5 KJV).
I
especially want to thank You Jesus, for Your precious friendship to me.
May this same friendship become a reality to those who might be reading
this today, who perhaps have not yet come into such a friendship with
You. Touch their lives with Your loving hand, that they never be the
same. I bless You Jesus, and pray in Your name, Amen!
Walk in the presence of His love this day, and be most blessed!
Marcia
