Good friends, good gifts …

Good friends are precious, and a Christian should have many good friends. Often what is most cherished in someone's life will ultimately not be ones possessions or physical accomplishments, but will be the good friends one has made.

In the summer of 1811, aged, ill, and reflecting upon his own life, Thomas Jefferson wrote to one of his good friends. He was very thankful for their friendship. He wrote in his letter, "I find friendship to be like wine, raw when new, ripened with age, the true old man's milk and restorative cordial."

Jefferson understood that friendship is good. It is strengthening and healing. It grows stronger and better over time. Good friendship is also very important to God. He wants us to become His friends, and has shown us how.

Jesus said that if we do whatever He commands, then we are not servants (or "slaves"), but we are His friends, and we have a special relationship with Him (John 15:14-15). If we do what He commands, then we understand His will. If we keep His word (which includes rejecting pagan religious holidays that were not found in the true Church during the time of Christ or the original Apostles), then we live in true friendship with Him.

Christ's friendship with us will become our much needed "old man's milk and restorative cordial." His friendship will be nourishment every day of our life, if we learn to "walk as He walked" (1 John 2:6), which means keeping His Law, His seventh-day Sabbath and the biblical Holy Days.

No human friend is perfect. Likewise, the Bible states that we are not perfect. But, if we don't really try – if we fail to put our heart into following Him, if we trample on His Sabbath and His Ten Commandments, and we then claim to be His friends, then Christ states that we are liars (1 John 2:4). We are then not walking with Him, but are instead in darkness. Jesus Christ is the Light – He is no friend of darkness – He does not "fellowship" with darkness (1 John 1:6).

Become Christ's friend! A good friend will never forsake you – a good friend will "stick closer than a brother" (Proverbs 18:24). And, while on our own we know we are weak, with a good friend by our side we will be strong (Ecclesiastes 4:12).

Cling to Christ. Submit to His will every day, obey Him and seek His Kingdom. Then, even in times of economic crisis, personal trial, or world peril, Christ will take care of your every need. He will spiritually strengthen you (Colossians 2:19), and He will also provide for you physically (Luke 12:24-32).

We have confidence in our human friends, but we can believe in Jesus Christ's friendship even more. A good friend knows our needs and our desires, and happily gives to us – including sometimes even a small tin of chocolate covered espresso beans!

Christ is the giver of good gifts too, including the ultimate gift, which was His life. He gave His life so that those who follow Him can inherit immortality (John 3:15-16)! This is your Creator's and your Savior's ultimate offer of friendship! It is His good gift to us.

To learn more about how you can become Christ's good friend, watch Are You Saved?, and read The Holy Days—God's Master Plan. This excellent telecast and this very detailed booklet contain vital biblical truths to help you understand how to better walk with God and be His good friend.