Is God My Friend?
This question was derived from a ministering video on youtube. It was a two part series that frightened me saying that “God is not your good buddy, he is not your friend”. It made me feel like I’ve shamed God by feeling he’s a friend of mine and by praying to him as my friend and as my Lord.
Q. Hello, you’ve been able to answer my questions before, I really hope you’ll be able to answer my question now. This particular question was derived from a ministering video on the online video website called youtube. It was a two part series that frightened me saying that “God is not your good buddy, he is not your friend”.
My youth leaders at my church say that God loves us and that he is, as they put it, “A friend who will never betray you and who is always there for you and will always love you, all you’ve got to to is make him Lord of your life.”
When I watched this video I felt like I lost my only true friend, and it made me feel like I’ve shamed God by feeling he’s a friend of mine and by praying to him as my friend and as my Lord. I pray throughout my day while I’m at school or while I’m working and I don’t always bow my head and close my eyes. Is this disrespectful?
A. One of the advantages of the Internet is that it gives us access to a much wider variety of information than ever before. But it requires that we have a stronger foundation of belief so we can discern right from wrong. Otherwise we bounce from one view to another until we’re hopelessly confused.
In Acts 17:11 Paul commended the Bereans for searching the scriptures daily to prove that what he was teaching them was the truth. If you do that in this case you’ll fine that God has given us the authority to become His children, (John 1:12) and to call Him Father, and even Daddy. (Gal. 4:6) You’ll find that Jesus called us His friends (John 15:12-15) and that God says we’re not to fear Him. (Rom. 8:15-16) And you’ll conclude that while it’s right to respect God, it’s also right to call Him friend and to desire a close relationship with Him.
