Friend of God

We occasionally sing a song in our worship services called "Friend of God". The chorus is a rather repetitive (OK, very repetitive) refrain which states "I am a friend of God, He calls me friend." Knowing that our congregation generally dislikes too much repetition in our worship songs, I rarely select that one for use in our services. But, inspired by today's scripture from Romans 5, I may need to pull it out more often!

Today's reading in the New Living Translation has replaced some of the "churchy" words we grew up with. Gone from this translation are being reconciled and justified. We are, in terms simple enough for all of us to understand, friends with God. Verse 11 states: "So now we can rejoice in our wonderful relationship with God because our Lord Jesus Christ has made us friends with God."

I think I had an easier time with reconciliation and justification.

You see, I fall short in my relationships on earth. I forget birthdays. I write my thank you notes late, if at all. I email friends rather than call, because calling takes time that I don't think I have. I snap at my kids, and fold laundry when I should be talking with my husband. Does any of that sound familiar to you?

So, if I disappoint the people that I love on earth, might I wreck my friendship with God? The one that Jesus went to such lengths to establish on my behalf? As I get caught up in the "tyranny of the urgent", what if I am not a good friend to Him?

That's what makes me think of the worship song. Maybe it says "I am a friend of God" as a reminder, and it says it over and over because in our hearts of hearts, we struggle to believe it is true.

Today's reading tells us it is. When we were utterly helpless, Christ came at the right time and died for us sinners..... He will certainly save us from God's condemnation. .... God's free gift leads to us being made right with God, even though we are guilty of many sins. .... Christ's one act of righteousness brings a right relationship with God and new life for everyone. ... As people sinned more and more, God's wonderful grace became more abundant.

The truth is that I am God's friend because of Jesus, not because of me. When I fail to be the kind of friend I think I ought to be, God's abundant grace covers me. Jesus has restored my relationship with God -- his grace is sufficient and unaffected by my shortcomings.

I am a friend of God; I am a friend of God. Suddenly repeating that phrase over and over is music to my ears.