Is the Goal Friendship?

We had a study this morning that was talking about friendship. An interesting question was asked, “Do you have a friend you could call on for help at midnight?” The rest of the study focused on that friendship, but I was puzzled. Why? Because the Biblical account comes from is Luke 11, and the focus is on the boldness of asking and not the friendship. As a matter of fact, Jesus even goes on to say that the friend will provide what is needed at midnight, not because of the friendship, but because of the boldness of asking. It was focused more on prayer than it was friendship, but what part does friendship play? I think it raises an interesting question. If you knew it wasn’t a scam or dangerous, would your answering the door be dependent on friendship? I believe a vast majority of Christians, if asked for some help, within reason, would willing be there. So where does friendship come into the picture? It indicates a closer bond but does not reduce the value of others. We are told that there is no greater love than someone laying down his life for his friends, but I believe the greater love is laying down your life for someone you barely know or someone that may even be a nuisance. This was displayed by Jesus as He lay down His life for believers and non-believers. In John 15, Jesus goes one step further. He tells us that if we are His friends, we will obey His commandments. We normally wouldn’t put friendship and obedience together. In earthly relationships, I think that a great deal of respect and care are part of the friendship, but obedience? This is related more deeply to Jesus because that friendship doesn’t have the same give and take that earthly relationships have. Jesus is not our best buddy... He is in heaven with God the Father. What we owe God is on a higher priority than earthly friendships. We can’t have that friendship with God if we think we are on equal ground. We can’t have this intimate relationship with God if we think anything we have or want is superior to God’s will. Like the clay in the potter’s hands, we are to be available and submitted to God... hence the obedience. If I was equal to Jesus, then He died for nothing. As Psalm 119 declares repeatedly, “God’s law is good and desirable. Lord, You are truth in a world of lies. You are the light in a land filled with sin and darkness. You are a friend of repentant sinners. Amen