No longer do I call you servants, for a servant does not know what his master is doing; but I have called you friends. -John 15:15
A friend is someone who gives you total freedom to be yourself. -Jim Morrison
Many people believe that God loves them because, well, He has to. After all, He is God, and love is His nature. But what if I told you that God doesn’t just love you—He genuinely likes you? He enjoys your personality, laughter, quirks, and even the things you think make you unworthy. He doesn’t merely tolerate you; He delights in you.
The Difference Between Love and Like
One of the first things I ask couples in premarital counseling isn’t “Do you love each other?” but “Do you like each other?” Love is deep, committed, and enduring, but liking someone means you enjoy their company. It means you genuinely want to spend time with them, laugh with them, and share life with them.
The same is true with God. His love for you is unwavering, but He also genuinely likes you. He wants to spend time with you, not out of obligation but out of delight. That’s a game-changer for many who’ve spent their lives believing that God merely tolerates them because He has to.
God Likes You Just as You Are
Maybe you’ve thought, “Sure, God loves me, but He must be disappointed in me.” You might feel like you’ve too many flaws, too many struggles, or that you’re just not where you should be spiritually. But here’s the truth: God doesn’t just love some perfected future version of you. He likes you as you are right now.
Yes, we all grow and change, but that’s God’s responsibility, not yours. When we become obsessed with fixing ourselves, we miss the joy of resting in the truth that God already delights in us. Our journey isn’t about earning His approval; it’s about realizing we’ve had it all along.
Jesus’ Radical Friendship with People
Jesus showed us what the heart of the Father looks like through His actions. He spent time with the outcasts, the so-called sinners, and those others avoided. The religious leaders couldn’t stand it.
“The Son of Man has come eating and drinking, and you say, ‘Look at him! A glutton and a drunkard, a friend of tax collectors and sinners!’” (Luke 7:34 ESV)
They murmured and grumbled because Jesus welcomed people they thought were unworthy. But Jesus wasn’t just ministering to them—He enjoyed being with them. He liked their company.
How often do we assume God feels distant from us because of our flaws? But if Jesus could delight in spending time with those society looked down on, why wouldn’t He feel the same way about you?
The Lost Sheep—You Have Always Belonged
Jesus told a powerful parable about a shepherd who had 100 sheep, and when one got lost, he left the 99 to go after the one.
“Rejoice with me, for I have found my sheep that was lost.” (Luke 15:6 ESV)
Here’s the key: The sheep belonged to the shepherd before it was ever lost. It wasn’t an outsider trying to earn a place in the flock. It was always his.
God isn’t waiting for you to prove yourself worthy of belonging. You’ve always belonged to Him. He’s not standing back, waiting for you to make your way back home—He’s already pursuing you, carrying you, and celebrating you.
You Are Valued—The Lost Coin
Jesus followed up with another parable about a woman who lost a valuable silver coin. She searched her entire house, lighting a lamp and sweeping until she found it. And when she did, she rejoiced.
“Rejoice with me, for I have found the coin that I had lost.” (Luke 15:9 ESV)
That coin never lost its value, even while it was lost. It was precious the entire time.
You are that valuable to God. Nothing you’ve done—or haven’t done—has diminished your worth in His eyes. He doesn’t just love you in some theological sense. He values you personally, intimately, deeply.
God’s Thoughts About You Are Precious
If you still struggle to believe that God truly enjoys you, consider this:
“How precious to me are your thoughts, O God! How vast is the sum of them! If I would count them, they are more than the sand.” (Psalm 139:17-18 ESV)
God’s thoughts about you are precious and outnumber the grains of sand. Think about that! Every single thought He has toward you is filled with love, kindness, and joy. He isn’t frustrated with you. He isn’t waiting for you to get it together. He is completely and utterly delighted in you.
More Than Servants—God Calls You Friend
Jesus made an incredible statement in John 15:15:
“No longer do I call you servants, for a servant does not know what his master is doing; but I have called you friends.” (John 15:15 NKJV)
Friendship isn’t about obligation, it’s about desire. Jesus doesn’t just save you; He chooses you as His friend. Imagine the best friendships in your life; the people who make you laugh, who encourage you, who love you just as you are. That’s the kind of relationship Jesus wants with you.
God’s Delight in You—A Reason to Rest
So what does all of this mean for your life? It means you can stop striving. You don’t have to perform for God’s approval. You don’t have to work harder to make Him happy. You don’t have to wonder if you measure up.
God already delights in you. He already enjoys you. He isn’t waiting for you to become a better version of yourself before He fully embraces you. You already belong. You’re already loved. And best of all, you’re already liked.
So the next time you think about God, don’t picture Him as distant or disappointed. Picture Him smiling, laughing, and enjoying who you are. Because He does.
See D. Scott Cook’s book Alignment Of Authentic Love: Living Your Highest Life to learn more.