In Proverbs 18:24, we read, “A man that hath friends must shew himself friendly: and there is a friend that sticketh closer than a brother.” Jesus is that Friend who is closer than a brother. And He offers a friendship far deeper and better than we deserve.
Here are 4 ways Jesus is our best Friend.
1) He reached out in love when we were far from Him.
From our toddler tantrums to our teenage bad attitudes, we didn’t start out as God’s friends. Instead, we made choice after choice to sin. And those choices distanced us from God.
What did God do about that? Romans 5:8 describes the life-changing truth, “But God commendeth his love toward us, in that, while we were yet sinners, Christ died for us.”
Because He loved us, Jesus died to pay the price for our sins. If we turn from our sins and believe on Him, we can be forgiven. We can become God’s friends. Contact us at our prison ministries in Saskatchewan to learn more.
2) He loves us unconditionally.
Unlike our friends at junior high, college, or the local coffee shop, Jesus doesn’t place conditions on His love for us. He doesn’t kick us when we’re down. Instead, He loves us with an everlasting love (Jeremiah 31:3).
As Paul wrote in Romans 8:38-39, nothing can separate us from God’s love.
-not a breakup with your boyfriend
-not losing a beloved family member to cancer or depression
-not bankruptcy
-not losing your job
-not an addiction
(Note: If you are struggling with an addiction, you can contact our prison ministries in Saskatchewan for confidential counselling. For more info, please call (306) 940-9554 or email anchorofhopeheb@gmail.com)
As Pastor Jason Homan says, “In every circumstance of life, there is a God that loves us.” We can depend on His unconditional love.
3) He is patient and forgiving with our mistakes.
Sometimes, friends are less than generous when we mess up. When they get offended or hurt, they just give up on the relationship. Jesus isn’t like that. He knows we’re going to sin. And He knows we’re going to disappoint Him.
But He promised, “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) Jesus wants to forgive us when we mess up. And once He forgives our sin, He doesn’t bring it up again. Now that is supernatural forgiveness!
4) He will never leave us or forsake us.
One of the great life lessons we learn through experience is that, at one time or another, everyone will disappoint us. People will talk behind our back. Or they’ll break their promises. Even the dearest and closest friends cannot be there every time we need them. Jesus is the only Friend who will never fail us.
In Hebrews 13:5b, the Bible tells us, “…for he hath said, I will never leave thee, nor forsake thee.” No matter what, Jesus will be with us and help us. He will be our Strength when we are weary and our Comfort when we are sad.
Charles Spurgeon once said, “Oh! To be able to say ‘Christ is my friend,’ is one of the sweetest things in the world.”
As our best Friend, Jesus models real friendship for us. Because He first loved us, we learn to love others. Because He forgives our sin, we learn to forgive others when they hurt us. Because He is generous with us, we learn to give without expecting anything in return. Because He never gives up on us, we learn to love others even when they’re not very lovable.
What a wonderful friend we have in Jesus!
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Are you searching? Jesus has the answers for addictions and stubborn habits. For more information, send the Crossmans a private message here on Facebook or come to a church service at Prince Albert Baptist Church. Take the first step in a walk of freedom!
For more information, call (306) 940-9554 or email anchorofhopeheb@gmail.com
