He Calls Us Friend

This blows my mind. In John 15:14-15 Jesus says, “Ye are my friends, if ye do whatsoever I command you. Henceforth, I call you not servants; for the servant knoweth not what his lord doeth: but I have called you friends; for all things that I have heard of my Father I have made known unto you.”

So, if we are followers of Jesus, obey His commands, we enter into an exalted position of friendship with the creator of the universe, the God of all glory.  Wow! I don’t know about you, but that’s not easy for me to get my mind around.

Webster defines “friend” as an intimate associate, a person on the same side in a struggle; an ally; a supporter and sympathizer.

What does that mean for us? It means that no longer a servant, but now a friend, we are invited to have an intimate relationship with God. And He desires that relationship to be individual—unlike anyone else’s, personal and deep.  It means God cares about the things we care about. It means He’s on our side, pulling for us, wanting the best for us, wanting us to succeed in all areas of our life. And in times of trouble, He won’t abandon us.  He’ll stand with us against our adversary, the Devil.  And in that fight He supports us through His limitless resources of power, grace and love. And He’s there every step of the way, too, never leaving us or forsaking us. And when we gain the victory He rejoices. But if we fail or falter during these times of trials and testing, He weeps with us, then give us the grace to get back up and start all over.

Oh, what a wonderful friend we have in Jesus! And in this day and age, I can’t think of anyone I’d rather have in my corner, or have as a friend. For “if God be for us who can be against us?” Romans 8:31

Until next week,

Sylvia