The Greek word for friend is philos, which means “loved one”.
I recently saw a good friend whom I have known since my teenage years. I felt
so excited and happy to see him when he visited Vancouver last month. I’m so
encouraged to see that he is so faithful in serving our Lord and still very much
in love with Jesus all these years! I saw in him the zeal and the zest in
following Christ in spite of the challenges and trials that he encounters daily.
If we really love Jesus, we will strive to do what is pleasing to Him. The
more we strive to please Him, the more strongly we will walk in His footsteps.
The more we walk in His footsteps and become closer to Him, the more we will be
identified with Him.
Jesus’ love for each one of us flows abundantly, and he constantly calls us His
philos, His loved ones, His friends...