The Bible says God wants a personal relationship with you. Jesus said, "I have called you friends" (John 15:15), and He promised, "if any man hear my voice, and open the door, I will come in to him" (Revelation 3:20). That relationship begins through Christ, by whom "we were reconciled to God" (Romans 5:10), and grows as we accept His invitation, "Abide in me, and I in you" (John 15:4).
A relationship with God is more than religion or a set of rules. The Bible describes it with the closest words we have: friend, child, bride and beloved. People search for these verses when they first come to faith, when they feel far from God, or when they want to start the new year closer to Him. These twelve King James verses explain how a relationship with God begins, what it means to be called His friend, and how to grow closer every day. For daily obedience, see walking with God; for pursuing Him, see seeking the Lord.
How a relationship with God begins
1. Romans 5:10-11
"For if, when we were enemies, we were reconciled to God by the death of his Son, much more, being reconciled, we shall be saved by his life. And not only so, but we also joy in God through our Lord Jesus Christ, by whom we have now received the atonement."
Sin made us enemies of God, but through Jesus' death we are reconciled, brought back into friendship. Paul adds that we now joy in God. A relationship with God is not a grudging truce; it is joy. See salvation.
2. Ephesians 2:13
"But now in Christ Jesus ye who sometimes were far off are made nigh by the blood of Christ."
Ye who sometimes were far off are made nigh by the blood of Christ. However far you feel from God, the distance has already been crossed by Jesus. See blood of Jesus.
3. Jeremiah 24:7
"And I will give them an heart to know me, that I am the LORD: and they shall be my people, and I will be their God: for they shall return unto me with their whole heart."
God promised to give His people a heart to know Him. Even the desire to know God is His gift. If you want a relationship with Him, that longing is already a sign He is at work in you.
4. Revelation 3:20
"Behold, I stand at the door, and knock: if any man hear my voice, and open the door, I will come in to him, and will sup with him, and he with me."
Jesus spoke these words to a lukewarm church in Laodicea (Revelation 3:14-16). He knocks and waits to be invited in to share a meal, the Bible's picture of friendship. It is often used for a first prayer of faith and for believers who have drifted.
Called the friend of God
5. John 15:15
"Henceforth I call you not servants; for the servant knoweth not what his lord doeth: but I have called you friends; for all things that I have heard of my Father I have made known unto you."
At the Last Supper Jesus told His disciples He no longer called them servants but friends, because He had shared with them what the Father told Him. Friendship with God means being let in on His heart. See friendship.
6. James 2:23
"And the scripture was fulfilled which saith, Abraham believed God, and it was imputed unto him for righteousness: and he was called the Friend of God."
Abraham believed God, it was counted to him for righteousness, and he was called the Friend of God (see also Isaiah 41:8 and 2 Chronicles 20:7). Faith that trusts God's word is the root of the friendship.
7. Exodus 33:11
"And the LORD spake unto Moses face to face, as a man speaketh unto his friend. And he turned again into the camp: but his servant Joshua, the son of Nun, a young man, departed not out of the tabernacle."
The LORD spoke to Moses face to face, as a man speaks to his friend. Notice young Joshua, who stayed at the tabernacle after Moses left. Time spent in God's presence shaped the next leader of Israel.
8. Psalms 25:14
"The secret of the LORD is with them that fear him; and he will shew them his covenant."
The secret of the LORD is with them that fear him. The word secret here means close counsel, the kind shared between intimate friends. God shares His heart with those who reverence Him.
Growing closer every day
9. John 15:4-5
"Abide in me, and I in you. As the branch cannot bear fruit of itself, except it abide in the vine; no more can ye, except ye abide in me. I am the vine, ye are the branches: He that abideth in me, and I in him, the same bringeth forth much fruit: for without me ye can do nothing."
Abide means remain, stay, make your home. A branch does not strain to produce fruit; it stays connected to the vine. Daily prayer, Scripture and obedience are how we stay connected. See growth.
10. John 14:23
"Jesus answered and said unto him, If a man love me, he will keep my words: and my Father will love him, and we will come unto him, and make our abode with him."
Jesus promised that the Father and the Son would come to those who love Him and keep His words, and make their home with them. God does not only want to visit; He wants to live with you.
11. Psalms 73:28
"But it is good for me to draw near to God: I have put my trust in the Lord GOD, that I may declare all thy works."
After struggling with envy and doubt, Asaph concludes that it is good for him to draw near to God. Closeness to God is not only a duty; it is good for us.
12. 1 John 1:3
"That which we have seen and heard declare we unto you, that ye also may have fellowship with us: and truly our fellowship is with the Father, and with his Son Jesus Christ."
John wrote so that readers would share in his fellowship, which is with the Father and with His Son Jesus Christ. A relationship with God is lived out with other believers, not alone. See community.
A short prayer
Father, thank You that through Jesus I who was far off have been brought near. I open the door of my heart to You. Give me a heart to know You, teach me to abide in Christ every day, and let me be called Your friend. Draw near to me as I draw near to You, and make Your home with me. In Jesus' name, Amen.
Go deeper: a SOAP study prompt
Pick one verse above and write: - Scripture: copy the verse by hand. - Observation: what does it say? Who is speaking, to whom? - Application: what does it mean for you today? - Prayer: turn it into a two-line prayer.
New to this method? See our Bible study guide or pick a Bible reading plan.
Get our free January 2027 Scripture Writing Plan · Spend time with God every day with the 30-Day Prayer Journal · Get the SOAP Bible Study Journal
Frequently asked questions
How do I start a relationship with God?
It begins with trusting Jesus. Admit your need for Him, believe that He died and rose again for you, and invite Him in (Revelation 3:20). Paul writes that "if thou shalt confess with thy mouth the Lord Jesus, and shalt believe in thine heart that God hath raised him from the dead, thou shalt be saved" (Romans 10:9). Then tell a pastor or Christian friend so they can help you grow.
How can I have a closer relationship with God?
James promises, "Draw nigh to God, and he will draw nigh to you" (James 4:8). Practical steps include reading a little Scripture every day, praying honestly, joining a church, and obeying what you already know (John 14:23). A simple daily plan helps; try our free January 2027 Scripture Writing Plan or the 30-Day Prayer Journal.
Can you be friends with God?
Yes. Abraham "was called the Friend of God" (James 2:23), God spoke with Moses "as a man speaketh unto his friend" (Exodus 33:11), and Jesus told His disciples, "Ye are my friends, if ye do whatsoever I command you" (John 15:14). Friendship with God is a gift of grace that shows itself in trust and obedience.
Why do I feel far from God?
Many believers go through dry seasons; David asked, "how long wilt thou hide thy face from me?" (Psalm 13:1). Feelings can be affected by sin, stress, grief, illness or simple tiredness. God's promise does not change with your feelings: "I will never leave thee, nor forsake thee" (Hebrews 13:5). Keep praying, confess anything you know is wrong (1 John 1:9), and talk to a pastor.
Sources: All Scripture quotations are from the King James Version (KJV), public domain in the United States. References were checked against the KJV text from bible-api.com.
Related: Bible verses about walking with God · Bible verses about seeking the Lord · Bible verses about prayer · Bible verses about salvation · Bible verses about friendship · Bible verses about putting God first · Bible verses about knowledge · Bible verses about abundant life
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