Friendship, with God

Examples of friendship with God

Abraham

James 2:23 NASB95

and the Scripture was fulfilled which says, “And Abraham believed God, and it was reckoned to him as righteousness,” and he was called the friend of God.

See also 2 Ch 20:7; Is 41:8

Moses

Exodus 33:11 NASB95

Thus the Lord used to speak to Moses face to face, just as a man speaks to his friend. When Moses returned to the camp, his servant Joshua, the son of Nun, a young man, would not depart from the tent.

See also Nu 12:8; Dt 34:10

Job

Job 29:4–5 NASB95

As I was in the prime of my days, When the friendship of God was over my tent; When the Almighty was yet with me, And my children were around me;

See also Job 16:20–21

Examples of friendship with Jesus Christ

Mary, Martha and Lazarus

John 11:5 NASB95

Now Jesus loved Martha and her sister and Lazarus.

See also Jn 11:3; Jn 11:11; Jn 11:35–36; Jn 12:1–2

The beloved disciple

Jn 13:23 “the disciple whom Jesus loved” is generally thought to be John.

See also Jn 19:26; Jn 20:2; Jn 21:7; Jn 21:20

The disciples

John 15:14–15 NASB95

“You are My friends if you do what I command you. “No longer do I call you slaves, for the slave does not know what his master is doing; but I have called you friends, for all things that I have heard from My Father I have made known to you.

The ministry of Jesus Christ is an expression of friendship to sinners

In his life on earth

Matthew 11:19 NASB95

“The Son of Man came eating and drinking, and they say, ‘Behold, a gluttonous man and a drunkard, a friend of tax collectors and sinners!’ Yet wisdom is vindicated by her deeds.”

See also Lk 7:39; Lk 19:7

In his death on the cross

Jn 15:13; Ro 5:7–8

See also Lk 12:4; Jn 3:16; 1 Pe 3:18

God’s delight in friendship with those who he loves

Is 5:7; Ho 11:1–4

See also 1 Jn 1:3

The reliability of God as a friend

Isaiah 54:10 NASB95

“For the mountains may be removed and the hills may shake, But My lovingkindness will not be removed from you, And My covenant of peace will not be shaken,” Says the Lord who has compassion on you.

See also Dt 7:9; Jos 1:5; Pr 18:24; Jn 13:1; Heb 13:5

God’s invitation for people to know his friendship

Ps 145:18; Jas 4:8; Re 3:20 Sharing a meal is a strong expression of friendship in Scripture.

See also Zec 1:3; Mal 3:7; Ac 17:27; Jas 4:4