Is Jesus your friend? I certainly hope so, and yet I know that some people are not comfortable with that phrase. Some men are not comfortable expressing love for Jesus Christ. They may or may not be able to say that they love their dad and love their children, but they are not comfortable saying, "I love Jesus." They find themselves embarrassed to express love for their Savior.
By his grace, through faith in Jesus, we can come to God with tremendous respect and awe, with never-ending worship. But also through Jesus we can come to God with joy, thanksgiving and confidence, with full assurance, knowing that the blood of Christ cleanses us from every sin (Hebrews 4:14-16). There is no condemnation for those who are in Christ Jesus (Romans 8:1). We come before God spotless and pure, clothed in the perfect righteousness of Jesus Christ.
We have an eager longing to enter the throne room of heaven, knowing that we are welcome. God wants us to be there. He loves us so much that he sent his only Son to die for us. We are his children, and we can enter his gates with praise. He earnestly wants us to come in, to feel the splendor, to know the power, to experience the love and kindness.
Do you need a better relationship with our Lord and Master? Yes, we all do. So how can we have it? Let me suggest three things: prayer, study and fellowship.
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Pray. Ask God to give you the joy of salvation. Ask him to help you know his love for you in the sacrifice and resurrection of his Son. Ask him to help you adore him, to know and feel his love for you. Ask him for faith in Jesus, and for his power to walk in his love.
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Study. In this case, I suggest studying the four Gospels. Sometimes we study for doctrine and for commands regarding what we should do. This time, I suggest that we study simply to see what Jesus is like as a person. Get a feel for his love and compassion, his desire for friendship, his zeal for his Father's glory. Walk with him in the mountains, across the lake, into the city of his death. Meditate on it. Feel with him. Our life is hidden with Jesus Christ (Colossians 3:3) — discover what his life is like.
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Fellowship. Our love for the Lord is expressed in part by our love for one another. Share with others the joy that you have in the Lord. Let it shine. In Christ, we will live forever with one another, with ever-growing love for one another. Let's express his love in us now! Encourage others, as often as we meet them (Hebrews 10:24-25). Treat others with the courtesy that Jesus would give them. Forgive them as he would forgive them, and as he has forgiven you.
Christianity is indeed a way of life, changing our thoughts, our actions, and our emotions. It is Christ in us who makes it possible. May he live in us all.
