John 15:14-15/ Called a Friend of Jesus

"You are my friends if you do what I command you. 15 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." John 15:14-15

 Jesus calls you friend. This may be one of the most powerful realities a Christian could come to realize. It would be impressive if you were friends with Tom Brady or Tiger Woods or The President or some famous entertainer, but being called a friend of God is the most impressive. The One who "upholds the universe by the word of his power" also says, "Kevin Black is a friend of mine." It truly is shocking if you spend enough time coming to terms with that reality (and I would encourage you to try that). 

 But we aren't meant to think of friendship with Jesus exactly like friendships with humans. He has called us friends, "for(or because) all that I have heard from my Father I have made known to you." His friendship with us is rooted in Him being the way to eternal life and showing us the way to eternal life. This is the ultimate gift in friendship, and it's unique to Jesus as the Son of God. Additionally, we have to receive this friendship through obedience—we must do what He says. James put it this way:

"You adulterous people! Do you not know that friendship with the world is enmity with God? Therefore whoever wishes to be a friend of the world makes himself an enemy of God." James 4:4

 The Greek word for friend means, "a person you know well and regard with affection and trust." So, love for the world and trust in the world must be abandoned to be a friend of Jesus. These are the conditions that Jesus set when He said, "You are my friends if you do what I command you."

 Have you been a good friend to Jesus? I wondered as I wrote this! Like worldly friendships, it takes knowing someone well, loving them, and trusting them to be a good friend. And with Jesus, we can't do that if we are still friends with the world. 

Jesus calls you a friend. Will you be a friend to Him today?

 The world never sacrificed for you, Jesus did. The world is passing away, Jesus is eternal. The world will bring you anxiety, Jesus gives you peace. If we have to choose between the two, the choice is easy. Choose friendship with Jesus today! 

 If you want to dig deeper into this, need help, need prayer, or have questions—please reach out to us here: Roots Help & Prayer Form 

 Faithfully, 

Pastor Kevin