John 15:14-15
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.
There is a friend who will never fail or disappoint us and can always be completely trusted and relied upon, and His Name is Jesus. It is a great thing to be friends with Jesus. In His earthly ministry, Jesus said we are His friends if we obey His commands. That is, the moment we begin to walk in obedience to the commandment of God, we become friends with Jesus. Jesus’ friendship gives us everlasting love, direction, and revelation of His will for our life. The truth is the friends of God will go all the way to do as He commands, no matter the sacrifice and pain required. For His commandments are not hard to obey or burdensome. If we obey His command to love, we enjoy the intimacy of His friendship because His friendship develops as the result of obeying His command. Love for Jesus necessitates submission, for the one who loves Jesus will aim to, attempt to, and gradually increase in obedience to Jesus.
Friendship is like fire; if managed properly, it will continue to burn. It must be properly and constantly maintained. God’s desire to maintain an intimate friendship with us has been with Him from creation. Christ laid down His life so that we might become His friends, know the truth of the gospel of grace and do as He command. In other words, as Christians, we are no longer called slaves but have become Jesus’ inner circle of friends. He picked us up out of the miry prison of slavery, elevated us into heavenly friendship with Him, and revealed the mysteries hidden before the foundation of the world. God is looking for people to bless. People who will do His will and enjoy His benefits. He has given an incredible blessing to us in His Word and through His Spirit. However, to be friends with God, we must dislodge certain negative traits in our lives. We can no longer be involved in lies, gossip, immorality, courting that sinful relationship, and afford to continue going where unbelievers meet to entice one another to sin. There should be no more lukewarmness, spiritual slothfulness, disloyalty, or lack of commitment. Jesus will be our Friend when we have no more jealousy or envying our colleagues. No more hatred for anyone or pulling others down simply because we want to climb up. The good news for us today is that Jesus is that perfect Friend we desire. We can find our best friends wanting, but Jesus does not disappoint.
Beloved, one wrong choice in friendships can ruin your life, while one good friend can be the most rewarding and beneficial part of your life. Choose the right friends to be around you, for much of who you are is the result of the friend you keep. Recognize today that not everyone can go where God is taking you. So, connect with Jesus, who understands your destiny and can call forth your seeds of greatness and not people who will deny, betray, and backstab you. You don’t have time to spend on people constantly pushing you down, telling you what you can’t do, or never giving you their approval, no matter how hard you try. In your moments of trial, temptation and hardship, turn to the Friend, Jesus, who is always there. Listen to His Words as He speaks to you through the Scriptures. Spend time in prayer and experience the comfort of His Presence. Seek His forgiveness when you stray from Him and His ways. Be encouraged, and remember that no matter what happens, He will not leave nor abandon you. Let Him hold you close to His Heart. Rest in Him and find peace, for He is a Friend that sticks closer than a brother! As a Christian, be different and be the light of the world. I will end with the hymn written by Joseph Scriven, “What a friend we have in Jesus, all our sins and grieve to bear; what a privilege to carry everything to God in prayer.” Reach out to Jesus and make Him your best friend by always doing His Will. In Him, you can find the faithful, dependable, and reliable Friend that your soul desires. Remember, Christ is the Friend who loves at all times regardless of your condition. Jesus Christ is the only Friend that matters.
O Lord, thank You for Your Friendship. Help me to always obey Your commandments in Jesus’ Name.