A relationship of love and faithfulness into which God calls all people through faith.
Examples of friendship with God
Abraham
James 2:23 See also 2 Chronicles 20:7; Isaiah 41:8
And the Scripture was fulfilled that says, “Abraham believed God, and it was credited to him as righteousness,” and he was called a friend of God.
Moses
Exodus 33:11 See also Numbers 12:8; Deuteronomy 34:10
Thus the LORD would speak to Moses face to face, as a man speaks to his friend. Then Moses would return to the camp, but his young assistant Joshua son of Nun would not leave the tent.
Job
Job 29:4–5 See also Job 16:20–21
when I was in my prime, when the friendship of God rested on my tent, when the Almighty was still with me and my children were around me,
Examples of friendship with Jesus Christ
Mary, Martha and Lazarus
John 11:5 See also John 11:3, John 11:11, John 11:35–36, John 12:1–2
Now Jesus loved Martha and her sister and Lazarus.
The beloved disciple
John 13:23 “the disciple whom Jesus loved” is generally thought to be John. See also John 19:26, John 20:2, John 21:7, John 21:20
One of His disciples, the one whom Jesus loved, was reclining at His side.
The disciples
You are My friends if you do what I command you. No longer do I call you servants, for a servant does not understand what his master is doing. But I have called you friends, because everything I have learned 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 parallel Luke 7:34 See also Luke 7:39, Luke 19:7
The Son of Man came eating and drinking, and they say, ‘Look at this glutton and drunkard, a friend of tax collectors and sinners!’ But wisdom is vindicated by her actions.”
In his death on the cross
John 15:13; Romans 5:7–8 See also Luke 12:4; John 3:16; 1 Peter 3:18
Greater love has no one than this, that he lay down his life for his friends.
Very rarely will anyone die for a righteous man, though for a good man someone might possibly dare to die. But God proves His love for us in this: While we were still sinners, Christ died for us.
God's delight in friendship with those who he loves
Isaiah 5:7; Hosea 11:1–4 See also 1 John 1:3
For the vineyard of the LORD of Hosts is the house of Israel, and the men of Judah are the plant of His delight. He looked for justice, but saw bloodshed; for righteousness, but heard a cry of distress.
When Israel was a child, I loved him, and out of Egypt I called My son. But the more I called Israel, the farther they departed from Me. They sacrificed to the Baals and burned incense to carved images. It was I who taught Ephraim to walk, taking them by the arms, but they never realized that it was I who healed them. I led them with cords of kindness, with ropes of love; I lifted the yoke from their necks and bent down to feed them.
The reliability of God as a friend
Isaiah 54:10 See also Deuteronomy 7:9; Joshua 1:5; Proverbs 18:24; John 13:1; Hebrews 13:5
Though the mountains may be removed and the hills may be shaken, My loving devotion will not depart from you, and My covenant of peace will not be broken,” says the LORD, who has compassion on you.
God's invitation for people to know his friendship
Psalm 145:18; James 4:8; Revelation 3:20 Sharing a meal is a strong expression of friendship in Scripture. See also Zechariah 1:3; Malachi 3:7; Acts 17:27; James 4:4
The LORD is near to all who call on Him, to all who call out to Him in truth.
Draw near to God, and He will draw near to you. Cleanse your hands, you sinners, and purify your hearts, you double-minded.
Behold, I stand at the door and knock. If anyone hears My voice and opens the door, I will come in and dine with him, and he with Me.
Related themes
Dictionary of Bible Themes © 1999 Martin Manser, licensed CC BY-SA 4.0, via Bible Aquifer. Formatted for this site, with Scripture from the Berean Standard Bible.