Embracing Jesus as Our Closest Friend

At Lakeview Christian Church of Portage Lakes, we believe that a relationship with Jesus Christ is the cornerstone of our faith. While many of us accept Jesus as our Lord and Savior, it is equally important to embrace Him as our closest friend. This friendship with Jesus is not just a spiritual concept but a transformative relationship that brings strength, passion, and joy into our lives. In this blog post, we will explore what it means to have Jesus as our friend and how this relationship aligns with our mission to “Be the Change” as Jesus has changed us.

The Need for a Deep Relationship with Jesus

Many of us go through life feeling like we are running a race without all of our strength, passion, and joy. We may have accepted Jesus as our Lord and Savior, acknowledging His sacrifice on the cross and the forgiveness of our sins. However, this is often where our relationship with Him stops. We recognize His greatness and His role as our Redeemer, but we fail to embrace Him as our closest friend.

In John 15:15, Jesus says, “I no longer call you servants, because a servant does not know his master’s business. Instead, I have called you friends, for everything that I learned from my Father I have made known to you.” This verse highlights the intimate relationship Jesus desires to have with us. He wants to be more than just our Lord; He wants to be our friend.

Jesus as Our Friend: A Relationship of Love and Loyalty

Having Jesus as our friend means experiencing a relationship rooted in love and loyalty. Proverbs 18:24 says, “One who has unreliable friends soon comes to ruin, but there is a friend who sticks closer than a brother.” Jesus is that friend who sticks closer than a brother. He loves us in spite of our flaws and because of who we are. This friendship is not conditional; it is a steadfast and enduring relationship.

When we embrace Jesus as our friend, we find that we are never alone. He is always with us, offering His love, support, and guidance. This relationship brings a sense of peace and assurance that we cannot find elsewhere. It is a friendship that transforms our lives, filling us with strength, passion, and joy.

Friendship with Jesus: Study, Share, Serve

At Lakeview Christian Church, our mission is to “Be the Change” as Jesus has changed us. We do this through our “Just 3” approach: Study, Share, Serve.

1. Study: To love and know God, we must immerse ourselves in His Word. Studying the Bible helps us understand the depth of Jesus’ love and the nature of our friendship with Him. It equips us to grow in our relationship with Him.
2. Share: To know and love others, we must share our lives and our relationship with Jesus. True friendship with Jesus involves sharing His love and grace with those around us. It is through sharing that we build strong, enduring relationships.
3. Serve: Love in action is the ultimate expression of our friendship with Jesus. Serving others, especially in their times of need, is a powerful way to demonstrate our love and loyalty to Jesus. He said, “Greater love has no one than this: to lay down one’s life for one’s friends” (John 15:13).

Practical Steps to Deepen Your Friendship with Jesus

1. Spend Time in Prayer: Prayer is a powerful tool for building and sustaining our friendship with Jesus. Spend time in prayer, talking to Him and listening to His voice. Ask Him to guide and strengthen your relationship.
2. Read the Bible: The Bible is God’s Word and a source of wisdom and guidance. Make it a habit to read the Bible daily, seeking to understand and apply its teachings in your life.
3. Worship Together: Worship is a way to express our love and gratitude to Jesus. Attend church services and participate in worship, both individually and as a community.
4. Serve Others: Serving others is a tangible way to demonstrate our love for Jesus. Look for opportunities to serve in your church and community, showing the love of Christ through your actions.

Conclusion

Embracing Jesus as our closest friend is a transformative relationship that brings strength, passion, and joy into our lives. It is a friendship rooted in love and loyalty, offering us a sense of peace and assurance that we are never alone. At Lakeview Christian Church of Portage Lakes, we are committed to fostering this relationship through our mission to “Be the Change” as Jesus has changed us.

By studying God’s Word, sharing our lives, and serving others, we can deepen our friendship with Jesus and experience the fullness of His love and grace. Let us strive to embrace Jesus not just as our Lord and Savior, but as our closest friend, knowing that He is always with us, loving us in spite of and because of who we are.

If you are tired of feeling like you are running a race without all of your strength, passion, and joy, let Jesus in. Embrace Him as your friend in all capital letters, and experience the transformative power of His love and friendship.