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Do You Want a Friend

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Publishing Committee · Battle Creek, Mich. · Sep 18, 1856

FromReview and Herald, Vol. 8, No. 20.

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Do You Want a Friend.

By Ryle

CONSIDER solemnly whether Christ is your friend and you are his. There are thousands, I grieve to say, who are not Christ's friends. Outward members of his Church, attendants on his means of grace—all this they are, no doubt. But they are not Christ's friends. Do they hate the sins which Jesus died to put away? No. Do they love the Saviour who came into the world to save them? No. Do they delight in the word of reconciliation? No. Do they try to speak with the Friend of sinners in prayer? No. Do they seek close fellowship with him? No. Oh, reader, how is it with you? Are you, or are you not, one of Christ's friends?
If you are not one of Christ's friends you are a poor miserable man. I write this down deliberately. I do not say it without thought. I say, that if Christ be not your friend, you are a poor miserable man. You are in the midst of a failing, sorrowful world, and you have no real source of comfort or refuge for a time of need.
You are a dying creature, and you are not ready to die. You have sins, and they are not forgiven. You are going to be judged, and you are not prepared to meet God. You might, but you refuse to use the only Mediator and Advocate. You love the world better than Christ. You refuse the great Friend of sinners, and you have no friend in heaven to plead your cause. Yes; it is sadly true. You are a poor miserable man. It matters nothing what your income is; without Christ's friendship, you are very poor.
If you really want a friend, Christ is willing to become your friend. He is ready to receive you, all unworthy as you may feel, and to write your name on the list of his friends. He is ready to pardon all the past, and to clothe you with righteousness, to give his Spirit to make you his own dear child. All he asks you to do, is to come to him. He bids you come with all your sins, only acknowledging your vileness, and confessing that you are ashamed. Just as you are—waiting for nothing—unworthy of anything in yourself—Jesus bids you come and be his friend. Come, and be wise. Come, and be safe. Come, and be happy. Come, and be Christ's friend.—Ryle.