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 8 of 13

THE ROLE OF OBEDIENCE

"Ye are My friends if ye do whatsoever I command you" (John 15:14). Do not misconstrue the words of the Lord Jesus. Christ's point is not that meticulous obedience makes us His friends. Rather, those that are responsive to His commandments, fulfilling them heartily and joyfully, are manifested to be His friends. Obedience--where His commandments are no longer grievous--is our evidence of affiliation. As it is written, "For this is the love of God, that we keep His commandments: and His commandments are not grievous" (1 John 5:3). Obedience is primarily an evidence of our love for God. We do what He commands because we love Him. Our hearts are attracted to Him, and we cherish His presence and blessing. The truly obedient are their happiest when they are in the center of God's will.

His commandments are not grievous

What is more, the commandments of the Lord are NOT grievous for the truly obedient. As it is written, "Blessed is the man that feareth the Lord, that delighteth greatly in His commandments" (Psa 112:1). Again it is written, "I will delight myself in Thy commandments, which I have loved" (Psa 119:47); and again, "I love Thy commandments" (Psa 119:127); and again, "Thy commandments are my delights" (Psa 119:143). God's Word does not chaff the spirit of the reconciled one!

Obedience reveals friendship

Jesus does not say "You SHALL BE My friends if ye do whatsoever I command you." With precision He states, "You ARE my friends if you do whatsoever I command you." Doing what Jesus commands is a point of revelation, where the friends of Christ are made known. Your obedience thus becomes the confirmation of your closeness to Christ. Note, those to whom these words were spoken were already in relation to Christ. He had chosen them and set them apart for a work. His words were designed to assure them of their acceptance. That assurance would equip them to continue being obedient. If we do not have a love for the Lord's bidding, we have no evidence of association with Him. In such a case, profession counts for nothing. Thus it is written, "Circumcision is nothing, and uncircumcision is nothing, but keeping the commandments of God" (1 Cor 7:19).

Obedience under a Law principle

The person under law sees no real benefit in adherence to the code. He is driven by a sense of obligation, and objects to any individual that exudes confidence, or claims to have gained any experiential advantage in his obedience. To obey out of a "fear of death" (Heb 2:15) is bondage. To "obey from the heart" (Rom 6:17) is freedom!

Laws are for navigating in unknown waters. They are also for "the lawless" (1 Tim 1:9). The person under Law does not see the goodness of God, only His severity. Grace is unknown, while justice is vaunted. Obedience is not perceived as "better" than sacrifice (1 Sam 15:22) by those enamored of Law. Such overestimate the power of men, and underrate the power of God. God is seen at a distance, if, indeed, He is seen at all. Having lived under such a system, I can attest to the misery that it brings. The Law truly was "weak through the flesh" (Rom 8:3). It required things of which we are not capable. Sin had so depleted our resources, that we were unable to serve God with any degree of confidence.

PRAYER POINT: Father, in the name of Jesus, I thank You for giving me a new heart--one upon which Your law can be written, and which causes me to have great delight in Christ's commands.

-- Tomorrow: THE POINT IS RECONCILIATION! --