Greatest Friend, Part 1

How many friends do you have?  Why, Facebook will number them for you!  How funny is that!  In real life, who counts their friends!

 

There’s truly One Who should be numbered among our friends – God.  Can you imagine the headlines after Enoch went for a walk and didn’t come home or when Elijah was taken to heaven in a whirlwind?  These two men of God didn’t die; escaping death altogether, God just took them to heaven.  Can you imagine how exciting that would be?  And, what about being on God’s friends list as Abraham was: “Abraham my friend” (Isaiah 41:8).  How did these men rank such an amazing honor?  They certainly weren’t perfect but – most importantly – they were faithful.  Their overwhelming devotion to God was way beyond superficial; it was deeply spurred by love and courage outside of themselves.  They lived faithfully within the boundaries of God’s eternal Truth that ”nothing is impossible with God” (Matthew 19:26).  James confirmed the ultimate faith: “Abraham believed God, and it was counted to him as righteousness”—and he was called a friend of God.” (2:23).  Jesus modeled the greatest love:  “Greater love has no one than this: to lay down one's life for one's friends.” (John 15:13).  Will you seriously consider – this Holy Week – if you are counted among God’s friends?  His list matters most!