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 11 of 13

RIGHTEOUSNESS FOR FRIENDS

The Gospel of Christ reveals a righteousness that cannot be found under a system of law. It is a righteousness conferred, or imputed, because of faith. "For therein is the righteousness of God revealed from faith to faith: as it is written, The just shall live by faith" (Rom 1:17).

Things prepared for friends

It is not possible to imagine the glories that God has prepared for them that love Him--His friends. They are so transcendent to present experience, that they must be revealed. The Lord's intention to bless us is marvelous. He did not leave it to us to imagine what we would like, or what might be best for us. We are not capable of such things, even though our hearts have been purified by faith. "But as it is written, Eye hath not seen, nor ear heard, neither have entered into the heart of man, the things which God hath prepared for them that love him. But God hath revealed them unto us by his Spirit: for the Spirit searcheth all things, yea, the deep things of God" (1 Cor 2:9-10).

Often 1 Corinthians 2:9 is quoted to justify ignorance of the great things God has prepared for those who love Him. The intent of this statement, however, is not to confirm that such things cannot now be known. Rather, they cannot be discovered by our natural powers. No matter how astute our reasoning and logical powers may be, they are impotent in this area. That is why "God hath revealed them unto us by His Spirit."

They have been revealed in Scripture, but we will read past them if God does not lift the veil from our eyes. Divine commitments to bless were found in the old Scriptures. They were replete with references to the coming Christ, His suffering, and the glory that would follow. But the Jews, blinded in their hearts, read over these promises without perceiving them. The Holy Spirit is precise on this point. "But their minds were hardened: for until this very day at the reading of the old covenant the same veil remains unlifted, because it is removed in Christ. But whenever a man turns to the Lord, the veil is lifted" (2 Cor 3:14-16, NASB).

You may rest assured than humanity has not advanced to the point where the veil can be lifted WITHOUT Christ! If natural abilities were sufficient to clarify the promises of God, we could remove the veil ourselves. But this is not the case! The veil is "done away IN CHRIST," AND only in Christ!

Divine intention revealed

God operates according to an agenda set in place before the world was created. He has determined to bring everything together into oneness in Christ Jesus, things in heaven and things upon earth. It is a purpose that challenges the cherubim and seraphim! It is not remotely possible that we could have discovered this purpose on our own. Because Christ has made us friends, it has been revealed to us. "Having made known unto us the mystery of His will, according to His good pleasure which He hath purposed in Himself. That in the dispensation of the fulness of times He might gather together in one all things in Christ, both which are in heaven, and which are on earth; even in Him" (Eph 1:9-10).

PRAYER POINT: Father, I thank You through Jesus for revealing something of what has been prepared for those who love You. I desire to see these things more clearly.

-- Tomorrow: JOEL AND CALLING ON THE LORD'S NAME --