The Friend of God

"No longer do I (Jesus) call you servants, for a servant does not know what his master is doing; but I have called you friends, for all the things I heard from My Father I have made known to you."  (John 15:15)

 

The Lord has many followers, but few friends. Friends are those who draw closed to Jesus on His terms, and His terms are spiritual, not soulish, emotional, or religious. Friendship with Jesus draws us into the realm of spiritual intimacy where the love, knowledge, and counsel of God are made available to us and no one else. Close friends are free to share themselves with one another and enjoy that freedom because of a bond of trust developed over time and experiences. We know we are friends of Christ when He is the Lord of our lives; then the knowledge of God is poured out on us abundantly, and we begin to hunger for it more and more each day.

 

You are My friends if you do whatever I command you. (John 15:14)

Most human friendships are based on affinities, shared interests and desires, or emotional ties; but it is not so in the Kingdom. The Lord is holy, and He will only enter into friendship with holy men and women. He will never be related to sin and selfishness, and He is not interested in associations and affiliations that do not glorify the Father. Therefore, we must be obedient to His Word, if He is to identify us as friends. Once He can trust us to follow Him closely, He can share His heart with us as a friend desires to do. Are you trustworthy in that way? Do you follow His commands? If so, you are a friend of God. Remember, we are not His friends until He says we are. What is He saying about you?

 

Let's Pray - Father, thank You for calling me Your friend through Your Son, Jesus Christ. I desire to be the kind of friend that represents You well and obeys Your every command. In Jesus, Amen.