Oh to be His Friend! It is truly an honor to be called a friend of Jesus. He is a true friend and I’m so grateful His friendship doesn’t waver, aren’t you? The above verse has been such a comfort to me through the years, knowing that He is interested in bringing us so close to Himself.
As children of God, we are in the “inner circle”- there’s no popularity contests, no impossible standards to meet- just love, and Someone always seeking our well-being. Jesus truly is the best friend you will ever have.
A Friend of Jesus
I no longer call you servants, because a servant does not know his master’s business. Instead, I have called you friends, for everything that I learned from my Father I have made known to you. (John 15:15)
In John 15:15, Jesus is telling the disciples that He now considers them friends.
The word “friends” is defined in the Strong’s Concordance as:
G5384 (Strong) philos Properly dear, that is, a friend; actively fond, that is, friendly (still as a noun, an associate, neighbor, etc.): – friend.
And Webster’s 1828 Dictionary defines ‘friend” as:
FRIEND, n.
1. One who is attached to another by affection; one who entertains for another sentiments of esteem, respect and affection, which lead him to desire his company, and to seek to promote his happiness and prosperity; opposed to foe or enemy.
(A friend loveth at all times. Prov. 17.)
2. One not hostile; opposed to an enemy in war.
3. One reconciled after enmity. Let us be friends again.
4. An attendant; a companion.
The definition that stuck out most to me was in Websters:
“One who is attached to another by affection; one who entertains for another sentiments of esteem, respect and affection, which lead him to desire his company, and to seek to promote his happiness and prosperity; opposed to foe or enemy”
Not only is this the part that He plays on our lives, but it is one we are supposed to play in HIS. I want to be the kind of friend Jesus is proud to have. To be attached to Him.
I want to my actions to gain His esteem, respect and affection so that He desires my company. To promote His happiness and the prosperity of His Kingdom. I want to be His Friend in every sense of the word.
Generous, Withholding Nothing…
Another thing I noticed in this verse is where He told the disciples, “everything that I learned from my Father I have made known to you.”
Jesus is the ultimate generous friend- He withholds NOTHING from us. How beautiful is that?! He isn’t influenced by circumstances, tragedies, crisis, fears, insecurities, baggage, anger, jealousy, strife, hatred- He freely gives to His friends. How blessed we are to have His steady friendship! I want to be that way with Him- withholding nothing, giving Him everything.
Pray with me:
Lord, thank You for Your friendship. Thank you for being the one, true safe Friend that I need. Help me to be that kind of friend to you and others. Help me to be generous, freely giving all in trust of You. In Jesus Name.
Dive Deeper
“This is my commandment, that you love one another as I have loved you. Greater love has no one than this, that someone lay down his life for his friends. You are my friends if you do what I command you” John 15:12-14
Words to pay attention to: commandment, love, friends
“A friend loves at all times, and a brother is born for adversity.” Proverbs 17:17
Words to pay attention to: friend, loves, brother, adversity
“One who has unreliable friends soon comes to ruin,
but there is a friend who sticks closer than a brother.” Proverbs 18:24
Words to pay attention to: unreliable, friends, ruin, friend, sticks, brother
You are His Friend…
Dear one, He considers you His Friend- He desires to be in close fellowship with you, sharing all that He has with you. He is kind, loyal, generous, loving, protective, and constantly seeking your well-being. He is the best friend you’ll ever have!
Did you miss the first devotional in this series??? You can find it HERE.
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