Sunday, December 20th, 2009

Week 2 / Day 1: God calls me friend

The big picture

John 15:13-15 (NLT)
13 There is no greater love than to lay down one’s life for one’s friends. 14 You are my friends if you do what I command. 15 I no longer call you slaves, because a master doesn’t confide in his slaves. Now you are my friends, since I have told you everything the Father told me.

He loves me. He loves me not.
We live in an era of fickle friendship. We laugh nervously while plucking petals from a flower to determine our relationship status. Sadly, many friendships are based on such a tenuous foundation.  That’s why this week’s BIG IDEA might appear scandalous: we are friends with God?

Some have no problem with this biblical statement and embrace God as they would a fuzzy teddy bear. Others claim a healthy “fear” of God would never allow such a display of affection or endearing association. Is one view correct? Is there any sacred middle ground?

Because the term “friend” is used several times in the Bible between God and individuals, it is clear that this relationship exists. But what does it mean? Or what does it not mean?

First, the word “friend” is a relative term. Its meaning runs anywhere along the relationship gamut between casual friend to best friend, so finding a definition both parties can agree upon is a challenge. Secondly, is it possible to say God is friends with all but share a different level of friendship with some? I think so.

Because the Bible describes God as a holy God in whom there is no sin, the very fact that He allows us—sinful people—to live and interact with Him, proves God is friendly to all. In addition, God’s provision for humanity throughout history including, but not limited to, Jesus offering His life as a forgiveness of our sin, shows God actively pursuing a relationship with us—the ultimate expression of a friend.

So the question begins to take on a new form and asks, are WE friends with God? Oswald Sanders taught that each of us is as close to God as we choose to be. Today’s key verses from John’s gospel reveal that our level of friendship is measured by our willingness to obey—in doing so we receive the benefits of friendship while maintaining the appropriate role of learner and servant.

The Life Application Bible Commentary describes it this way:
In those days, the disciples of a rabbi were considered his servants. Jesus would now change that relationship; the disciples were to be not his servants but his friends. Jesus considered them his friends because he had told them everything he had heard from the Father. This showed that Jesus trusted them to receive these communications and then pass them on to others as the gospel. In fact, he had chosen and appointed them for this task.

Clearly, God calls us friends and displays it in various ways: we ARE friends with God! The question remains, would God say we are friends with Him? If that unnerves you, let this week’s BIG IDEA motivate you to draw close to God and respond as He leads you.

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