Source and read from the book written by Rick Warren, The Purpose Driven Life on chapter 12 - Developing your friendship with God.
Who is more important? Me? friends? family? bf? gf? or God?
You are as close to anyone of us as u CHOOSE to. Your walk and friendship with anyone of us is determined by your obedience, faithfulness, frankness, disclosure and honesty.
Am i important? no coz i dont last forever here on earth and i cannot give u everything.
Parents and friends? No, they can guarantee u everthing.
Bf/gf? No. They cant guarantee you eternal happiness.
God? YES.
Being friends with God is the most important relationship. Why? He fills all the missing holes from above. Why is He important? U are going to be either in Hell or Heaven and He will choose it base on whether YOU are his friend or foe. So should u get to know God and be His friend? YES
What does it take to be Gods friend? Perfection? No, coz no one is perfect. If tat was Gods requirement we all will be in hell. So what is it He requires?
YOUR obedience, faithfulness, frankness, disclosure and honesty.
IF YOU say God is unfair or giving you a hard time, consider this : He wants u to rant and make noise and be totally OPEN to Him about HOW you feel. Dont hold back. Expressing yourself is the next step to know how God works. You just may get more than u asked for.
YOU ARE AS CLOSE TO HIM AS U CHOOOSE.
The closest of friends share the most intimate and private and most frank of things. God only listens and shares YOUR things with Him. He doesnt tell anyone. He is your best confidant. Secret Keeper. Listener.
God doesnt care MUCH AT ALL about how well u pray. How long u fast. How well u sing. How often u go to church. He cares how close YOU are to Him.
We fear and obey God not because of duty, religion, obligation or compulsion. Friendship NEVER works that way. We obey out of love and care because we know he is a friend. Non Christians will think its religion and obligation. Christianity was never a religion in the first place. It began at the very beginning as a relationship with Adam and Eve. Out of pure love and friendship and fellowship.
We obey because God is our friend yet He is not our equal but our Higher Authority. He demands nothing more than our friendship and love yet also our obedience. And we gladly obey out of love.
Wives, YOU obey your husbands out of love and know what they tell you to do is of good and love.
Girlfriends, YOU obey your boyfriends because you love them.
Sons and daughters, you obey your parents and teachers because they are right and they want the best for you.
Friends, YOU obey your friends in the name of friendship.
Therefore,
We OBEY God as we do the same as all the above. Not fear, religion or obligation.
But love, obedience, frankness, faithfulness, trust, and friendship.
You are as close to God as you choose to be.
It is a friendship that will be forever until you carry it into heaven forever.
Choose
