Facebook and Friends

Someone recently wrote: "I have some friends on Facebook that I don't even know". Now, I have friends I don't remember - but that is due to a poor memory (and don't say anything about my age.:)) In this era of social networks websites like Facebook or Twitter, all kinds of people can become linked as "friends". Yet many of them really don't know each other. Designated friends but with no relationship!
Of course it has always been tempting, for those who enjoy "name dropping" (I admit, I've been tempted) to claim as a friend someone whom you have barely met. I have met a few famous politicians, athletes and Christian leaders; even shared a meal or a golf game with them. But I can't claim them as friends. They don't know me and I really don't know them.
I suspect that God has a huge number of "friends" like that. As a pastor, I have met people who claim they talk to God regularly as their friend - yet whose lifestyle is in great conflict with God's commands; whose religious beliefs are far different than what Jesus taught about God; and whose views on a host of issues are in direct conflict with God's truth found in Scripture.
On the other hand, in Isaiah 41:8 God calls the great man of faith, Abraham, "my friend". In Exodus it is said that God talked to Moses face to face as one speaks to a friend. Many people claim God as a friend. But wouldn't it be great if God claimed you as a friend?!!
Jesus tells his followers that in fact they are his friends, IF! Not if they have on one occasion prayed a prayer of commitment. Not if they pray to God every day or go to church every week. No, Jesus, God the Son, says: "You are my friends if you do what I command."
This makes perfect sense. If I obey the command of Jesus to love God with my whole being and love others as myself, then my life will be in synch with God. Of course we will be friends for we will share a great deal in common, as good friends always do.
Do I claim God as a friend because of some casual contact or a religious link through others? Or am I really a friend who loves God sincerely enough to obey (often failing, but truly trying) His commands? Whew, it takes my breath away, to even think that Jesus may look down on me and say "Nelson is my friend". Could you wish for anything better than that?