Key Scripture:
John 15:14. “You are My friends if you do whatever I command you.
Key Idea:
Our Lord has said what He gave as proof of His friendship: He gave His life for us. He now tells us what our part is to be–to do the things which He commands. He gave His life to secure a place for His love in our hearts to rule us; the response His love calls us to, and empowers us for, is that we do what He commands us. As we know the dying love, we shall joyfully obey its commands. As we obey the commands, we shall know the love more fully.
— Murray
Pray for revelation:
O my Lord, let Thy holy friendship lead me into the love of all Thy commands, and let the doing of Thy commands lead me ever deeper into Thy friendship.
— Murray
Key words:
Friends.
Jesus showed his friendship by laying down his life. We can best show our friendship to him by doing what he asks. Obeying.
At one time, a friend had been doing some things she shouldn’t have been doing. Taking advantage of situations. When I confronted her, she said, “I won’t do it anymore.” I wasn’t impressed. The words were the place to start, but until her actions proved that change of heart, there wasn’t any substance yet.
To demonstrate friendship, all the talk won’t mean a thing until action takes place. Whether it be a reaction to an outright request, or taking initiative and doing something for our friend. Meeting a need before they need to ask.
Jesus wants to be a friend to us all. Who are the friends of Jesus? Let others know that you are a friend by your obedience to his commands. The things he asks, the things he commands are really easy when we draw on his strength.