Friendship with Jesus

 I no longer call you servants, because a servant does not know his master’s business. Instead, I have called you friends, for everything that I learned from my Father I have made known to you. Jn 15:15 NIV

Those who see God as a harsh judge will see themselves as unworthy servants. We are certainly unworthy servants. We are flawed and we must always acknowledge our sins and failings and receive God's forgiveness.

Our sin is not insignificant to God. Jesus had to take a terrible punishment for our sins, but Jesus has taken away all our guilt. Now he wants to look at you and me very differently, as his beloved children.

Therefore, since we have been justified through faith, we have peace with God through our Lord Jesus Christ, Rom 5:1 NIV

Anyone who still sees God as a harsh judge has never grasped this wonderful truth of grace.

For God so loved the world that he gave his one and only Son, that whoever believes in him shall not perish but have eternal life. Jn 3:16 NIV

Yet to all who did receive him, to those who believed in his name, he gave the right to become children of God— Jn 1:12 NIV

If you see God as a judge watching you from heaven, you have either never entrusted your life to Jesus or you have never really understood God's love since your conversion.

God is not far away. He dwells lovingly with his children.

“Come to Me, all who are weary and heavy-laden, and I will give you rest. Mt 11:28 NASB95

If you abide in me, and my words abide in you, ask for whatever you wish, and it will be done for you. Jn 15:7 NRSV

How can you live in this close personal relationship with Jesus if you fear him as a harsh judge? You can't.

There is therefore now no condemnation for those who are in Christ Jesus. Rom 8:1 NRSV