Friendship, with God

Examples of friendship with God

Abraham

James 2:23 ESV

and the Scripture was fulfilled that says, “Abraham believed God, and it was counted to him as righteousness”—and he was called a friend of God.

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

Moses

Exodus 33:11 ESV

Thus the Lord used to speak to Moses face to face, as a man speaks to his friend. When Moses turned again into the camp, his assistant 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 ESV

as I was in my prime, when the friendship of God was upon my tent, when the Almighty was yet with me, when my children were all around me,

See also Job 16:20–21

Examples of friendship with Jesus Christ

Mary, Martha and Lazarus

John 11:5 ESV

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 ESV

You are my friends if you do what I command you. No longer do I call you servants, for the servant does not know what his master is doing; but I have called you friends, for all 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 ESV

The Son of Man came eating and drinking, and they say, ‘Look at him! A glutton and a drunkard, a friend of tax collectors and sinners!’ Yet wisdom is justified 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 ESV

For the mountains may depart and the hills be removed, but my steadfast love shall not depart from you, and my covenant of peace shall not be removed,” 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