Friend is defined as a person attached to another by feelings of affection or personal regard, one who is on good terms with another. The Quaker religion was known as the Society of Friends. Jesus used that term when referring to His followers. He spoke of love and joy being perfected through friendship. “Greater love has no one than this, than to lay down one’s life for his friends. You are my friends if you do whatever I command you. No longer do I call you servants, for a servant does not know what his master is doing; but I have called you friends, for all things that I heard from My Father I have made known to you.” (John 15:13-15 NKJV)
Jesus is the fullest expression of what it means to be a friend. He had personal regard for our need of friendship with our Creator. He showed deep feelings of affection for us by laying down His life on our behalf. That ultimate sacrifice has indeed put us on good terms with God. Not only are we now friends with God, but we are also called to be a society of friends. Remember that Jesus said we are friends when we do what He commands. And what does He command? “A new commandment I give to you, that you love one another; as I have loved you, that you also love one another.” (John 13:34 NKJV)
One great blessing in my life for which I am most grateful is the blessing of friendship. There are old friends who have walked with me through the ups and downs of life. Friends who know many of my flaws, but still choose to call me friend. There is always room for new friends, for our circle of friends should allow for expansion. It is a great blessing to see my church family not as parishioners, but rather, a society of friends. But the greatest blessing is to be known as a friend of Jesus. As Johnson Oatman, Jr., the hymnwriter, put it: “There’s not a friend like the lowly Jesus, No not one! No not one!”
– Terry Morrison