October 22, 1998, Thursday

Why is it difficult for a person to have faith in God?

How can a person become a friend of God, the King of

the Universe? Will a person make an enemy if he decides

to be a friend of God?

The Scripture gives us the example of Pilate and what

happened when he saw the innocence of Jesus: From

the time Pilate sought to release Him, The Jews began to

cry out, saying, "If you let this Man go, you are not

Caesar's friend. Whoever makes himself a king

speaks against Caesar" (John 19:12). It will always

be difficult for a person to believe God in this world,

because the world will exact a toll on the person that

attempts to listen to his God given conscience.

The Scripture gives us the example that Jesus called certain

ones His friends when they listened to their conscience and

asked for His mercy: When Jesus saw their faith He said,

"friend, your sins are forgiven you" (Luk 5:20). The

oldest example is Abraham: ABRAHAM BELIEVED

GOD and he was called the friend of God (Jas 2:23).

The person that will believe God and accept His free

pardon and grace for his sin will become God's friend.

James tells us that one that begins his friendship with

the world will be met with opposition by God: "Do you not

know that friendship with the world is hostility toward God?

The person that wishes to be a friend of the world makes

himself an enemy of God" (Jas 4:4b paraphrase). To go

with God is to go against the course of this world, but

Jesus reminds us: "Take courage I have overcome the

world!" The friend of God will overcome too.

Let us remember who is our Best Friend. God's name is

Jehová Adonai. He is the God who accepts us as we are

without any modifications. He is the God who will never fail

you nor forget you. He will never leave you or let you down.

Lift your hands to your Best Friend. Praise Him and thank

Him for all the blessings of His acceptance and friendship.