Post 1 — Friendship With God
Series: The Greatest of These—Becoming a Friend of God (1 of 12)
Editor’s Note
The Banner Institute begins this series at the fountainhead: God Himself is the One who initiates friendship. Curtis Wilson’s opening pages remind us that the Christian life is not mere pardon but an invitation into the very life of the Trinity. In Banner’s own work we see this as the axis on which every healing practice must turn. Over the next twelve posts we will publish Wilson’s thoughts on walking with our Creator.
If your desire is to walk closely with God, Curtis is the best guide I know; these thoughts represent an overture to a pilgrimage into mature, whole‑life friendship with the living God. – Andrew B. Dodson
Introduction
One of the most unique aspects of Christianity is that the Creator of the universe draws us, the created, into a place of close relationship with Himself. This access is granted into the heart of the Godhead through our trust in the redemptive work of Jesus Christ. The cleansing of our souls from Sin and the shedding away of our old self is a feeling that is hard to describe with words. The Bible says that the angels rejoice over one sinner that comes to repentance. This is truly the greatest miracle and mystery of all—how God frees the human heart from the bondage of death to live eternal life with Himself.
If you and I stopped at this point of “being saved,” it is quite certain that God has done more than we deserve. But God does not leave us to ourselves even at the early stages of our born‑again experience. He beckons each of us to live an existence that not only includes Him but encompasses the Kingdom through every part of our being. This process of weaving in the Kingdom starts at salvation and moves with us throughout our lives.
This progression is described by a theological term known as sanctification. Being sanctified, in short, is to have my character, attitudes, and routines reflect those of a most holy nature. While most would agree that this process is ongoing throughout our lives, we can also say that there is a place where we lay to rest the old nature and adhere to the new. This is the doctrine that scripturally refers to us as walking in the newness of the Spirit. I am describing a type of relationship with Christ that does not compartmentalize our time together but allows Him to permeate every moment and decision (Colossians 2:10).
It is my opinion that Christ is calling His church, in these last days, to a maturity that reflects the highest nature of our relationship with the Godhead. This could possibly be what is mentioned of Abraham when the Scripture says he was a friend of God. This place of closeness with God is where we intend to carry you throughout this teaching. It is our goal that you, the reader, have a relationship with your Creator that will carry past casual familiarity and into the true oneness that Jesus prays for in John 17:21.
To do this, we will examine some different types of relationships mentioned in Scripture, bring clarity to each, present their workings, and discuss how the enemy of our souls would try to disrupt our process of growth. We will also sort out some things that hang on the peripheral that go unnoticed much of the time. Don’t worry if you are feeling that you fall short on the measuring line right now; it is something that grows through development. This is the same path of growth the disciples found themselves on throughout the Gospels.
To have this sort of connection with the Lord and each other, the process must start with intention. You and I must purpose in our hearts that this relationship is a goal to be achieved regardless of personal benefit. Of course, having this type of friendship with God carries certain returns but not necessarily on the natural level. It is in this thread that we will launch…
Key Take‑aways
- Salvation is invitation, not finish line. God rescues us for communion, not merely from judgment.
- Sanctification is relational. Holiness grows as Christ permeates every decision, not by compartmentalized “spiritual” moments.
- Maturity is Christ’s agenda for the last days. The Abrahamic title “friend of God” is not elite—it is the Church’s calling.
- Intention precedes intimacy. Friendship with God thrives where the heart has consciously chosen it above lesser goods.
Reflect & Engage
- Where do you sense God inviting you from casual familiarity into true oneness?
- What one habitual compartment could you open to His presence this week?
Prayer: Father, thank You for initiating friendship. Grow in me the intention to weave Your Kingdom through every part of my being. Amen.