Jesus says that His disciples were His friends (Luke 12:4), but friendship depends upon having the same general way of looking at things and the same priorities (1 Cor 6:17). Thus the condition of friendship with the Lord of the Universe is to do what He says.

Luke 12:4  “I tell you, my friends, do not be afraid of those who kill the body and after that can do no more.

1 Corinthians 6:17  But he who unites himself with the Lord is one with him in spirit.

The Roman emperor had a select group of men who were called “friends of the king” or “friends of the Emperor”. They had special privileges such as instant access to the emperor. He would talk to them before the official start of the day and they could even visit him in his bedchambers. They had the closest, most intimate relationship to the emperor. David and Solomon both had servants with the intimacy to be called friends (2Sa 15:37, 1Ki 4:5), but this honor to be an intimate friend of the King of the Universe does not belong to just a few — it belongs to all of Christ’s servants.

2 Samuel 15:37  So David’s friend Hushai arrived at Jerusalem as Absalom was entering the city.

1 Kings 4:5  Azariah son of Nathan—in charge of the district officers; Zabud son of Nathan—a priest and personal adviser to the king;

There was an even deeper memory within the disciples, though, that would have been stirred by the words of Jesus: Abraham was called the friend of God (2 Chron 20:7, Isa 41:8, Jas 2:23). Jesus is offering an intimacy with God that is similar to that which we have with our closest friends. What are the similarities?

2 Chronicles 20:7  O our God, did you not drive out the inhabitants of this land before your people Israel and give it for ever to the descendants of Abraham your friend?

Isaiah 41:8  “But you, O Israel, my servant, Jacob, whom I have chosen, you descendants of Abraham my friend,

James 2:23  And the scripture was fulfilled that says, “Abraham believed God, and it was credited to him as righteousness,” and he was called God’s friend.

Jesus said that we are His friends if we do what He commands. The friends of the emperor would most certainly do whatever their king told them to do. How much more should we, who are friends of the King of kings and Lord of lords do what He says? Our love for Him and relationship with Him are the motivating factors in our obedience to Him. Wonderfully enough, our obedience to Him strengthens our love for Him and our desire to serve Him.