FRIENDS VERSUS SERVANTS

"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" (John 15:14-15).

Devotion 6 of 13

RATHER, TO BE KNOWN BY GOD
Not limited to the Apostles

This word (John 15:14-15) is not limited to the Apostles. We know this to be the case because of explicit teaching by the Spirit. A relationship transcendent to that of mere servanthood is integral to the new covenant. While Jesus spoke of friendship in the sense of making known the purpose of God, Paul unfolds the same principle in regard to being an "heir of God," which is the fruition of the friendship of which Jesus spoke. This is a central teaching in Scripture, and we do well to make every effort to comprehend it.

"And because ye are sons, God hath sent forth the Spirit of His Son into your hearts, crying, Abba, Father. Wherefore, THOU ART NO MORE A SERVANT, but a son; and if a son, then an heir of God through Christ. Howbeit then, when ye knew not God, ye did service unto them which by nature are not gods. But now, after that ye have known God, OR RATHER ARE KNOWN OF (by) GOD, how turn ye again to the weak and beggardly elements, whereunto ye desire again to be in bondage?" (Gal 4:6-9).

The Galatians were being drawn into patterns of erroneous and jeopardous thought: that of being justified by a system of law. Grace had lost its attraction to them, and they were seeking to obtain Divine approval by measuring up, rather than by being raised up. Achieving was giving preeminence rather than believing. The Holy Spirit did not take the matter lightly, and neither should we. Moses could not take Israel into the promised land, and Law cannot take us into the inheritance promised in Christ!

Notice that sonship is here contrasted with servanthood. A SYSTEM OF LAW LIMITS ITS CONSTITUENTS TO SERVANTHOOD. The Gospel brings the glad tidings of sonship, which is confirmed when God sends the Spirit of His Son into our hearts. "Son" and "friend" are closely related in this perspective. We are "sons" because we have been brought into the divine family. We are "friends" because we have been made associates in God's eternal purpose. This truth is accentuated by the phrase, "or rather, are known of (by) God."

With strong words Paul affirms that, in Christ, you are "no more a servant, but a son." You are not merely working for the Lord, you are a laborer together with Him (1 Cor 3:9)--and there is a vast difference! The Lord Jesus Himself is under the yoke with you, and He is bearing the greater weight of life's burden. It is really His yoke; not yours, you are sharing it with Him. As it is written, "Take MY yoke upon you, and learn from Me; for I am meek and lowly of heart: and ye shall find rest unto your souls. For MY yoke is easy, and MY burden is light" (Matt 11:29-30). In confidence, Christ has "received you to the glory of God" (Rom 15:7). You are His friend, just as He said in John 15:15! You are "no more a servant." That is the word of the Lord! Your sonship transcends your servanthood. It sanctifies your service, making it acceptable to God. You are not working for acceptance; you are working because you have been accepted, and there is a vast difference between the two!

PRAYER POINT: Father, I thank You through Jesus Christ for raising me above a servile association into one of sharing and acceptance.

-- Tomorrow: RICH MEN AND CAMELS --