So now we can rejoice in our wonderful new relationship with God because our Lord Jesus Christ has made us friends with God. ROMANS 5:11 (NLT)

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Few indeed are the friends and loved ones we can tell anything and know they will still love us and never give up on us. Our Father in heaven is that friend above all friends. He already knows the worst about us and loves us anyway. He desires to take us as we are and lead us where we can only arrive by his grace. He never gives up on us until we at last endure to the end and give up on him. 

This chapter tells us how our Father in heaven sent his son to pay the penalty for our sins so that we might experience reconciliation. Our Father in heaven wants a “wonderful new relationship” with us. He wants to be our friend. He wants to be your friend. 

Are you a friend of God? 

He offers his grace to wash your sins away, to give you a place to stand (vv. 1, 2), to give you a brand new life which endures forever, to give you peace. The Creator of all the good things we know and enjoy wants has sent his friend request. Have you accepted it? 

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I will live as a friend of God.

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Our Father, thank you for taking the initiative and doing everything necessary to bring me into relationship with you. Thank you for your grace which makes me new. Thank you for your grace that teaches me how to live. Thank you for your grace that removes the fear of death. Thank you for choosing me as your child and your friend. Amen.