I believe in the friendship of Jesus.

Oh, I believe in a great many other things as well but when it all gets boiled down...this is what I believe. I believe in the friendship of Jesus.

I believe that God has reached out in love to me and to everyone through the gift of Jesus and his desire to be my friend. That is my understanding of the Gospel and I know it isn’t too sophisticated but it is the essence of my faith.

Friendship is always a gift.

You can never force someone to be your friend just as you can never force someone to accept a gift. Either someone wants to be your friend or they don’t. Friendship is a gift or it is not friendship. Without the gift it is obligation or exploitation or manipulation but certainly not friendship.

Jesus offers us the gift of friendship. We decide whether we will offer the gift of friendship in return.

Please note that Jesus’ offer is not dependent on our acceptance. Jesus continues to offer the gift. Jesus continues to offer his friendship but it is up to us to decide whether we wish to engage in the relationship.

It is up to us to decide whether we wish to be a friend to him.