Friends of God

UV 754/10,000 Friends of God But thou, Israel, art my servant, Jacob whom I have chosen, the seed of Abraham my friend. Isaiah 41 v 8 The word “ belief” consists of two root words- “be” and “lief.” The verb “ be” though simple comprises all the complex of thoughts, words, deeds, activities, emotions, goals, desires, relationships, work and leisure that comprises life. The word “ lief” that is comprised of all the letters of the word “life” is the old English word meaning “ Kingdom”. All of our being, doing, having and behaving should reflect our belief or trust in the King of all life – God Himself. Adam and Eve disbelieved God and believed satan and lost his dominion or kingdom. They dethroned God from the throne of their hearts and enthroned satan. Sin began to dominate human life. Abraham believed God and became part of the kingdom of God. He enthroned God again on the throne of his heart. The kingdom of God or the rule and reign of God began again in his life. His belief made him righteous in the eyes of God. Abraham had many powerful enemies surrounding him as he led a nomadic existence. He feared that even his beautiful wife would be taken by them. But God acted as a friend and redeemer and delivered him from the real threats as well as his fears. Scripture calls Abraham a Friend of God. Abraham had a personal relationship with the one who had created, formed and redeemed him. God called him by his name and gave him a new name, Abraham or father of many nations. Abraham responded in faith and believed in the promise of God. It is the righteousness of our faith that makes us Friends of God. God kept His promise to Abraham that he would be the father of many nations even though he did not even have a single son when he first called him into a relationship with Him. He gave him Ishmael, the son from the bondwoman and Isaac, the son from his wedded wife. But, it was through the latter that God purposed to create a new nation Israel, chosen by Him to reveal His purpose for all mankind that all people everywhere could by belief in His son Jesus be a part of His eternal Kingdom. Faith or belief is the seed of friendship with God. Religion is man-made mainly out of fear of the unknown, unknowable and unpredictable. But God is not interested in religion. It has the outer form without the inner power of the righteousness of faith. He is interested in a relationship, a deeply personal relationship with all people as individuals like Abraham. As the seed of the righteousness of belief or faith grows in us, our relationship with God our Creator, Sustainer, Father, King, Friend and Redeemer deepens and widens and lengthens. Jesus said that “ I do not treat you as servants as servants are not told everything but that which they should know. I treat you as friends for I have told you everything the Father has told me to tell you.” He trusts us and believes in us. Belief or trust is the foundation of true friendship. He has called us “ Friends of God.” As friends chat with each other online or in real time for hours on end as my daughters do, the Lord enjoys it when we chat with Him. As we chat with Him, He multiplies our joy and divides our sorrows. He even understands us in our deep silences. He comforts us as a devoted friend on our dark days and times. As a wise friend, He guides, helps and counsels us. As a friend, He delights in our well being. Just as Jesus came not to start a new religion but to make all people Friends of God by virtue of their belief in Him. When I joined the Indian Police Service I thought I had an opportunity to make all people not fear the police but to be Friends of Police. Therefore, I started the Friends of Police movement and it is my vision to see it spread across the nation(s) to empower and enable individuals to partner with the police. Prateep V Philip