THE CALL TO FRIENDSHIP AND LOVE:
John 15:12-17 NKJV
[12] This is My commandment, that you love one another as I have loved you. [13] Greater love has no one than this, than to lay down one’s life for his friends. [14] You are My friends if you do whatever I command you. [15] 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. [16] You did not choose Me, but I chose you and appointed you that you should go and bear fruit, and that your fruit should remain, that whatever you ask the Father in My name He may give you. [17] These things I command you, that you love one another.
Our development as children of God and as disciples of Christ occurs in stages. Each stage demands a call to deeper levels of intimacy, closeness to God, commitment, and obedience. It is only through faithful and loyal service, that we are chosen to become friends with God.
Jesus says, “ I no longer call you servants, but friends.” Hallelujah! What a joy to be called friends of God! Friends of God are those who have learned to obey all the instructions and commands He gives. To such friends, God is able to share all things freely.
Genesis 18:17-19 NKJV
[17] And the Lord said, “Shall I hide from Abraham what I am doing, [18] since Abraham shall surely become a great and mighty nation, and all the nations of the earth shall be blessed in him? [19] For I have known him, in order that he may command his children and his household after him, that they keep the way of the Lord, to do righteousness and justice, that the Lord may bring to Abraham what He has spoken to him.”
Do you want to be a friend of God like Abraham? Learn to obey all the instructions of God and teach them to your children and to others. How deep is your love for others? Friends of God walk in love towards God and each other because God is love. The more you get to know God and walk closer to Him, the purer and more unconditional your love becomes.
This is the reason we are among the chosen few.
John 15:16-17 NKJV
[16] You did not choose Me, but I chose you and appointed you that you should go and bear fruit, and that your fruit should remain, that whatever you ask the Father in My name He may give you. [17] These things I command you, that you love one another.
Beloved, let us learn to love and serve with love.