I am a Friend of Jesus!
Recently, I have been reflecting on “I AM A FRIEND OF JESUS” He calls me friend. What did I do to deserve to be called his friend? Am I worthy? Why?
I love the song “I am a friend of Jesus.” When I first heard it sung in church by Joyce Bailey, it made me feel so special to be called a friend of Jesus. Thank you, Joyce!
As I spend time in prayer and studying the Word, I like to read reflections and meditations from various theologians, one of my favorites is Father Richard Rohr. The other day he talked about the True Self. In 1 John 4:7 he says, let us love one another, for love comes from God. Everyone who loves has the Holy Spirit within you (Berean Study Bible).
Father Rohr says, The True Self is the Divine part of me that is great enough, deep enough, gracious enough, to fully accept the human part of me. Strangely enough, immense humility, not arrogance, characterizes someone who lives in this True Self. You simultaneously know you are a child of God, but you also know that you did not earn it and you are not worthy of it. You know it is entirely a gift. All you can do is thank Somebody Else, occasionally weep with joy, and kneel without any hesitation.
The true purpose of mature religion is to lead you to ever new experiences of your True Self. If religion does not do this, it is junk religion. Every sacrament, every Bible story, every church service, every sermon, every hymn, every bit of priesthood, ministry, or liturgy is for one purpose: to allow you to experience your True Self—who you are in God and who God is in you—and to live a generous life from that Infinite Source.
This was the message I needed to hear that morning. I am his friend because HE made it so, not because of anything I did. Thank you, Jesus.