1. We should not try to understand the term "friend" from our contemporary use of it, e.g., buddy-buddy, a casual relationship, etc.
I totally agree with you, Pilgrim. The contemporary use of the word 'friend' even in the 'Christian' world today, is a watered down-human explanation of the word. I mean exactly what you said.
The intimacy of being a "friend" of God is initiated by God Himself TO those whom He has chosen to love in Christ. It is never initiated FROM someone in their natural state since by nature all men hate God.
The attitude one MUST have in approaching God is determined first and foremost by who God IS and then further by the mercy and grace extended in and through the Lord Jesus Christ.
How timely. I was just thinking recently that if I only kept in mind who God is, and who man is in comparison to God and the relationship between God and man through Jesus Christ, I would be more on my guard against sin.
Proverbs 1:7 (KJV) "The fear of the LORD [is] the beginning of knowledge: [but] fools despise wisdom and instruction."
