In my recent research on marital intimacy, I surveyed almost 400 married people using two questionnaires which used numerous words to define intimacy: love, trust, confiding, interdependency, security, tenderness, honesty, closeness, sharing, commitment, supportiveness, affirmations, familiarity, reciprocity, friendship, empathy, openness, and warmth. Although these words have a special meaning in marriage, as my survey showed, but they also may be applied to friendship in general because they define a close relationship.

 Friends love unselfishly. They are trustworthy, have good intentions, share and communicate; they are committed and are responsive to each other's needs. There is a certain sense of security in true friendship. Friends remain in contact though stressful times and grow through difficulties.

  Jesus said to His disciples, "You are my friends" (John 15:14). In context, He conditions such friendship with obedience and responsibility. He blesses His friends with fellowship, fruitbearing, love, full joy, and answered prayer. He was open with them and communicated with them.

  We are friends of Jesus, not slaves, not even distant relatives. As friends, we experience full joy. We know Him up close. We are responsive to His wishes.