Very often we find God referred to as the friend of man. Humanity talks of Him as possessing all the qualities which constitute true friendship. No one could approach the contemplation of the divine nature and not at once acknowledge that it must include all that means "friend" in its largest interpretation. All this seems quite familiar to the thought of men when regarding Deity. It is not so natural, however, for them to think of the possibility of being God's friend. And yet God spoke of Abraham as "my friend." James tells us that "Abraham believed God, and it was imputed unto him for righteousness: and he was called the Friend of God." We also read in Exodus that "the Lord spake unto Moses face to face, as a man speaketh unto his friend;" while our Leader, Mrs. Eddy, writes in "The First Church of Christ, Scientist, and Miscellany" (p.220), "Each day I pray: 'God bless my enemies; make them Thy friends; give them to know the joy and the peace of love.'"
Now true friendship is always altogether disinterested and knows no limit to its willingness to sacrifice. It is that which acts continually for the advantage of the one whom it calls friend. To be the true friend of any one is to set his interests above one's own. It is to be so closely acquainted with all that is grand and true in his nature that no least breath of defamation, of unjust criticism, shall be allowed to blow upon his name. It is to be ever alert to defend all that is his, to protect his concerns at any cost to one's self. It is always to love to be in his presence; to be so certain each is understanding the other that even words often seem unnecessary. Such friendship is a holy thing, and even among men to-day it stands as something almost divine.
And men to-day need to become the friends of God; for true divine sonship would lack one of its most important essentials did it not include friendship. But to become conscious of this relationship, God must be understood. The world has been taught so many untruths concerning the nature of God that it is scarcely strange that men have seemed often rather to avoid than to seek Him. Ages ago, however, Eliphaz said to Job, "Acquaint now thyself with him, and be at peace: thereby good shall come unto thee;" but the understanding of what his own words meant, or of how they were to be put into effect, must have been very slight, since Job could only cry out in answer, "Oh that I knew where I might find him! " Today, Christian Science is here, not only explaining the nature of God, but also pointing out the way to take every step in making His acquaintance and in becoming His friend.
In "Miscellaneous Writings" (p. 151) Mrs. Eddy says, "God is our Father and our Mother, our Minister and the great Physician: He is man's only real relative on earth and in heaven." Then she quotes the song of David: "Whom have I in heaven but thee? and there is none upon earth that I desire beside thee;" and she goes on to say: "Brother, sister, beloved in the Lord, knowest thou thyself, and art thou acquainted with God? If not, I pray thee as a Christian Scientist, delay not to make Him thy first acquaintance." Now to become acquainted with God, as Christian Science reveals Him, is to enter upon the most glorious of undertakings. It is to find that in Him is all that is perfect and good. No human words could possibly portray the depths of His majesty, His limitless grace, His infinite glories, the boundlessness of His love! As we take our first feeble steps in the way of becoming acquainted with Him, instantly there springs up the desire to be His friend, to stand loyally for all that is His, to contradict every mistaken sense in regard to Him, to rebuke all that misrepresents Him, to prove unreal every falsity proclaimed against Him. This most precious friendship for God immediately awakens a new and exalted friendship for one's neighbor! Instantly there comes the desire to share with others even the first faint glimpses of His wonders! How deeply we desire to call all men to come and adore! How earnestly we pray to prove His all presence and all-power, that all may know how altogether lovely He is!
Christian Science not only shows the desirability of becoming the friend of God, but immediately presents the tests whereby such holy relationship may be proved. Jesus said, "Ye are my friends, if ye do whatsoever I command you." And, surely, no less requirement can be coupled with true allegiance to God. Then, in order to be His friend, there must first of all be complete obedience to the demands of divine Principle. To this there must be added the quick and steadfast recognition that because God is known through His expression, each least idea of good must be tenderly entertained and cherished, wherever it is seen. Friendship for God's ideas must mean friendship for God Himself. Christian Science tells us plainly that he who loves and understands good loves God. Then he who always stands for this good; who works for its establishment among men; who clings to it in spite of all the opposition of evil beliefs and practices; who lives in obedience to its behests,—surely such a one is the friend of good; and this must prove him the friend of God!
Living in such blessed friendship as this, laying down continually the false beliefs in a so-called material existence which would interfere with the demonstration of this perfect relationship, Christian Scientists will each hour exemplify more fully the truth of their Master's saying, "Greater love hath no man than this, that a man lay down his life for his friends;" and each, like Abraham, will then merit the distinction of being called "the Friend of God."
