This article will show that God wants far more from us than most people think. The book of Revelation is almost always studied from a prophetic point of view. There are, however, statements within it that reveal God's character and his purpose for creating man. One such statement, spoken by Jesus, is in Revelation 3.
. . . if any hear my voice and open the door, I will come into their house and eat with them, and they will eat with me (Revelation 3:20).
Jesus is giving us a hint at the kind of special relationship he ultimately wants with each of us. He wants us to recognize his voice, open the door and invite him in. Once inside he is more than willing to sit down, enjoy a meal, and fellowship with us one to one. How fantastic!
Notice it does not say he will come to our residence, pound on the door to demand we let him in, then when inside start commanding we do certain things - or else. He comes to us in friendship with a desire to commune with his creation and to enjoy their presence. Our Savior also promised this intimate relationship with us while he was on the earth (John 14:22 - 23).
God and Jesus greatly want a close relationship with those who believe and love them. They want to be our close personal friends! Those who are friends of God are able to effectively intercede with him. A striking example of this is Abraham (see Genesis 18:17, 19). The fact that we humans like and greatly enjoy friendships is evidence that God wants the same thing.
A true friend
What are some of the attributes of a true, close friend? What must we do if we want such relationships in our lives? Real friends forgive and forget. There are with you in times of joy or sadness. True friends trust and love each other, and are willing to do whatever it takes to help someone out. Our Creator constantly proves to us that He is our very best friend in this area (Romans 5).
How much does our Creator want a relationship with his creation? He was willing to pay the highest price possible - the life of Jesus, His only Son. This awesome sacrifice reconciles us to him and opens the door wide open to a relationship that will last forever. When we come under the shed blood of our Savior our sins are forgiven and washed away. The Apostle Paul tells us, in no uncertain terms, what our relationship is with our Father when we are forgive.
Consequently, there is now no condemnation to those who are in Christ Jesus, who are not walking according to the flesh, but according to the Spirit; (Romans 8:1).
God forgives completely. There are no strings attached to His love and mercy. His forgiveness is so perfect and wonderful that there will come a time when our sins will be totally forgotten - FOREVER (Jeremiah 31:34).
Times of trouble
The book of Proverbs tells us what it means to be a friend regardless of the situation.
Ointment and perfume rejoice the heart; so does the sweetness of one's friend by advice from the heart (Proverbs 27:9 - 10, see also 17:17, 18:24).
One of the most well-known friendships in all the Bible - King David and Jonathan - was a friendship that endured in spite of the trouble that came their way. They were truly friends who stuck closer together than brothers. Their relationship was such that the Bible states the following.
"And it came to pass when he had finished speaking to Saul (his father, who hated David and wanted him dead), the soul of Jonathan was joined with the soul of David, and Jonathan loved him as he did his own soul." (1Samuel 18:1)
Upon learning of Jonathan's tragic death in the battle of Gilboa, David was inspired to write a touching song dedicated to his friend (2Samuel 1). You and I have a friend in God. In time of need He is always there. He senses when things are wrong. He knows when trouble is near (Jeremiah 23:23 - 24).
Trust
I think that most of us can easily identify with this attribute of a best friend. We all need a true confidant -- someone to whom we can come and discuss our innermost problems. This is just the way God is with us.
Christ does not consider or call us mere servants for a reason. Servants are not privy to what his master is thinking and doing. Friends, however, know this from each other. All things that Jesus hears from the Father He confides in us! This speaks volumes concerning the kind of profound relationship that the Father and Son desire to have with us!
When we pray do we pour out our hearts to the Father and tell him things no one else knows? On the other hand, do we coldly recite a prayer that tells God next to nothing but demands he grants certain promises to you as if he needed to fulfill a contract agreement? Is our relationship with our Maker based on love and respect or Biblical facts and figures? The Bible admonishes us to draw close to him (James 4:8).
God must be allowed to enter that which is our personal life - to eat, walk, play and relax with us. Our heavenly Father and his beloved son desire that we know them even as they are known.
Love
Friends that are true friends can find enjoyment just by being together. This is what Paul was discussing when he wrote to the Romans.
Let love be without hypocrisy, abhorring that which is evil and cleaving to that which is good. Be kindly affectioned toward one another in brotherly love. Let each esteem the other more highly than himself. (Romans 12:9 - 10)
When sinful, backsliding ancient Israel found themselves in a great deal of trouble, it was God who cared for them and was compassionate. He hurt along with his children. Paul the apostle described how Jesus knows our temptations when he was a faithful High Priest over God's house (Hebrews 4:14 - 15).
God has always related to the trials, tribulations and troubles of mankind. Our Savior willingly relinquished everything he had - power, glory, honor, life eternal with pain or care and so on. There was nothing more he could give. He truly gave it all (John 15:12).
In closing, God and Jesus want us to have a close personal friendship with them and to love them as they love us. If we want to reach our height of spiritual maturity and love, then it behooves us to draw close to our Maker.