John 15:15 (ESV) “No longer do I call you servants, for the servant does not know what his master is doing; but I have called you friends, for all that I have heard from my Father I have made known to you.”
Fred resigned from his old job and picked up a new one with better pay. He however became friends with the CEO’s daughter whom he eventually married. Because of marriage and because his wife was the CEO’s only daughter and heir, nothing was kept away from him as a secret. This changed his approach to work, he stopped working for the pay and began to work for the sake of the family.
Many surrendered their lives to Jesus because of problems and others did because they needed to be free from sin, death, and hell. Thankfully, God is interested in meeting our needs and solving our problems. Regarding this, Jesus said, “Come unto me, all ye that labour and are heavy laden, and I will give you rest.”
If you are serving God just because you want your needs met, you’re no different from a servant. Servants serve for pay, they are loyal as long as their pay keeps coming.
I no longer call you servants but friends, Jesus said in today’s text. So, what differentiates a servant from a friend? Friends stick close, sometimes closer than a brother (Prob 18:24). To stick close to a friend is to share intimacy, share their joys, pains, and sorrows.
Are you a friend of God? You are if you share intimacy with him such that you’re bordered by the things that border him and enjoy the things he enjoys. But, if the opposite is true for you, you are not his friend yet, hence, taking time to pray “Lord, show me your ways (secrets)” will be a waste of time because you haven’t shown yourself friendly to him yet.
Do you want to become God’s friend? Fear and obey him (Isaiah 66:2).
Go into knowing that, the friendship of the LORD is for those who fear him, and he makes known to them his covenant (Psalms 25:14 ESV).
Prayer: Lord Jesus, please help me to care about what you care about; help me become your friend.
—Dr. Emmanuel JamesYearly Bible Plan: Acts 19-20
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