What does friendship with God mean?

When I was little, I didn’t fully understand what it meant. But I knew that I wanted to be friends with God. I prayed and gave my life to Him. God who created the universe and is all powerful and all knowing wants to have a relationship with each of us. He created us in His image and designed us to walk with Him. He is infinitely perfect, holy, just and loving. Mankind chose to sin against God disobeying Him. It broke the relationship and evil has existed ever since. The story does not end there though….

God sent His son Jesus to earth. Jesus lived a perfect life and sacrificed His life on a cross suffering and dying to pay the penalty for our sins. The justice for the sin in our lives against God was paid. Now for those who put their faith in Jesus, relationship to God can be restored. God’s love wins. Jesus rose from the grave three days after His death and now is seated victorious in heaven.

We can rest assured that we will join Him there one day if we put our faith in Jesus, repent of our sins, and surrender our lives to God. Hope and joy do not await us only on the other side of eternity. Jesus promised those who followed Him that the gift of His Holy Spirit would fill their spirits (hearts) when they ask. Holy Spirit transforms cold, numb, sinful hearts into hearts filled with love, joy, peace and hope.

John 3:16 “For God so loved the world that He gave His only begotten Son, that whoever believes in Him should not perish but have everlasting life.”