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 9 of 13

THE POINT IS RECONCILIATION!

Christ spoke His words in view of the reconciliation He was to accomplish in His death. That reconciliation is what enables us to be His "friends." A staggering amount of contemporary religion assumes alienation rather than reconciliation. The entire legalistic approach to the faith assumes redeemed people are basically recalcitrant and alienated from the life of God. Rules are, in such a case, imposed upon the people to keep them from wandering. Such a concept is contradictory of the very idea of salvation. In redemption we are "delivered from the power of darkness, and translated into the kingdom of God's dear Son" (Col 1:13). The heart of stone has been replaced with a malleable "heart of flesh" that can be molded by good news and exceeding great and precious promises.

God's word is clear on this matter. Jesus has accomplished what could not be accomplished by law. That is why we are no longer mere servants, but friends and sons. Friends because we have been made privy to Divine purpose. Sons, because we are heirs of God and joint heirs with Christ. Now, rejoice in the proclamation of new status, new nature, and new benefits. "For if, when we were enemies, we were reconciled to God by the death of His Son, much more, being reconciled, we shall be saved by His life" (Rom 5:10). "And all things are of God, Who hath reconciled us to Himself by Jesus Christ, and hath given to us the ministry of reconciliation. Now then we are ambassadors for Christ, as though God did beseech you by us: we pray you in Christ's stead, be ye reconciled to God" (2 Cor 5:18,20). "And you, that were sometime alienated and enemies in your mind by wicked works, yet now hath He reconciled" (Col 1:21).

How is it that we are reconciled, yet are admonished, "be ye reconciled to God"? The reconciliation must be received. We must believe the word of the truth of the Gospel! Satan can delude us into thinking we are justified by the deeds of the law. Or, perhaps, that salvation results in license to indulge the lusts of the flesh. But this is not so! Jesus really did reconcile us to God, but it has no effect until we receive it, and bask in its glory.

Sons can live like slaves

It is possible for sons to conduct themselves like slaves. That is what happened to the Galatians. Their persistence in this absurdity would result in their disinheritance. With great solemnity, Paul says to the very people that were known by God, "Christ is become of none effect unto you, whosoever of you are justified by the law; ye are fallen from grace" (Gal 5:4). What a dreadful contemplation! Each of us does well to take heed unto these words!

We do not rest upon what WE are, but upon Who JESUS is! That is the privilege of being a son! We do not serve the Lord because we are afraid not to, but because we have good reason to do so! He loved us, and gave Himself for us. From this point on, the life we live in the flesh, we live by faith in the Son of God, Who loved us and gave Himself for us (Gal 2:20).

PRAYER POINT: Father, through Jesus Christ, I acknowledge I was once alienated from You, but have now been reconciled through the blood of Your Son. I thank and praise You for this wonderful accomplishment.

-- Tomorrow: WONDERFUL REVELATIONS! --