Father and Friend

Recently, I've been thinking about the role of God in our lives. I used to think that God and Christ are one so their roles are the same. God is the Fatehr so Christ is father-like. However, Jesus said He came as a friend to us all.

As a young person from a Chinese family, I know that I am better with friends than my father. If I have made mistakes (out of the family), the last thing is to tell my parents. They can hardly understand my situation. I would happily talk with my friends and I know they will moan or laugh with me because they're experienceing similar life path as me.

Christ indeed came as our pal, our friends. God is the Father and judge but Christ stands at the same place to plead for me. I felt comforting when knowing this. A friend, a faithful friend is what a sinner needs. If a sinner is going to see the judge, I think he/she would really appreciate to go with friends' company. (And he/she knows that this friend is on his/her side!)

Then, I thought about our roles in each others' life. Are we friends to fellow believers? Or sometimes, we substantiallly became 'father/mother/teacher'-like? When I went into some church buildings, I can sense that that building is full of friendship and understanding. I can hardly tell who is the teaching pastor....Everyone is pastoring others with their smile and love. That's the kind of church I want to be in. (Don't know about others..)

Unfortunately, some church are very much teacher-oriented, just like the old style education system. Most of the believers are listenning and learning with a handful mature Christians teaching. I suppose Asian culture is more like that. Maybe just like the traditinal Catholic/Anglican churches.

A father and a friend want us to be good and to enjoy. I believe so. However, I know what I can be to others. I want to be a friend.