John 15:15, “…but I have called you friends…” When we first call on the name of Jesus to be our Lord and Savior, we enter into a life that we never knew existed; it is a life where we can find peace, joy, truth and hope; a life where we can finally find rest for our souls. And much like a newborn baby, we spend all of our time experiencing the newness of life that comes with being adopted into the Heavenly Kingdom. For many believers, this is where their growth ends as they are content to just be accepted into the Kingdom of God and are satisfied with being in the courtyard of the Temple. For others though, just sitting in the courtyard soaking up their newfound life is not enough for them anymore; they desire purpose and want to be used by Jesus, and so they follow Him and do what He tells them to do. Yet even here, serving in the Temple just steps away from the Holy of Holies is where the growth ends for many more believers as they become content with following Jesus and serving Him in ministry. But there are a rare few who hunger for more of God. Sitting in the courtyard warming themselves by the fire and following Jesus in a Master/servant relationship is just not enough for them anymore; they desire to enter into the Holy of Holies, the very presence of God, so that they may walk with Him in the coolness of the Garden. These are the ones that Jesus spoke of when He said, “No longer do I call you servants, for a servant does not know what his master is doing; but I have called you friends, for all things that I heard from My Father I have made known to you.” Those who are called “friends” of God are those who take on the mind and heart of Christ as their own; they are those who abandon their own interests and desires, and take on Christ’s in their place. Amos 3:3, “Can two walk together, unless they are agreed?” To be a friend of God, we must have the same purpose for our life that Christ has for us. Isaiah wrote in Isaiah 41:8, “But you, Israel, are My servant, Jacob whom I have chosen, the descendants of Abraham My friend.” The differences in the three relationships that are described above do not have to do with salvation, but rather intimacy. One is a servant, one is chosen, but only one is called friend and is invited into the secret councils of God. Believers, do not be satisfied with anything less than this. “Father, Lord, I pray that none of us would want anything less than to be called Your friend. Help us in Your name. Amen.” Be blessed for He is God!
Posted on: Wed, 05 Nov 2014 06:01:25 +0000
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