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 12 of 13

WE KNOW --A CONFESSION OF FRIENDSHIP

"I have called you friends; for all things that I have heard of my Father I have made known unto you." In view of Christ's statement concerning His friends, our awareness of spiritual realities confirms that we are in that category. When our faith takes hold of what He has revealed, and we come to "know" them, we have proof of our friendship to Him. This is more than an academic understanding of the Bible, it is a persuasion of the truth that moves us to willingly and eagerly adjust our lives. Our perception has come from Him, and He has given it because we are His "friends." A few confessions will suffice to confirm this is the case.

MORTALITY CAUSES GROANS. "For WE KNOW that the whole creation groaneth and travaileth in pain together until now. And not only they, but ourselves also, which have the firstfruits of the Spirit, even we ourselves groan within ourselves, waiting for the adoption, to wit, the redemption of our body" (Rom 8:22-23). The entire universe is in a state of deterioration. The sentence of mortality has been passed upon it because of man's sin. If one has ears to hear, the groans of creation are all about us. But they are not the groans of futility or hopelessness. Rather, they are birth pangs--the prelude to the time when God will "make all things new" (Rev 21:5). Those in Christ join in the travail, eagerly awaiting the transformation of their body. These are things those with faith know. The knowledge is not a textbook knowledge, but one that is the result of fellowship with Christ, into which God has called us (1 Cor 1:9).

EVERYTHING IS BEING WORKED TOGETHER. "And WE KNOW that all things work together for good to them that love God, to them who are the called according to his purpose" (Rom 8:28). All may seem chaotic, but it is not. There is a meticulous purpose being worked out by God. All of the saints are involved in this, and it is on an intensely personal level. In the end, all things will fit together for believers just as surely as they did for Joseph. This is something we know. It is not an academic knowledge, but the result of walking with Christ like the two on the road to Emaus.

A NEW BODY. "For WE KNOW that if our earthly house of this tabernacle were dissolved, we have a building of God, a house not made with hands, eternal in the heavens" (2 Cor 5:1). The body is a present burden for those in Christ Jesus. It is a frail frame in which a heavenly treasure resides (2 Cor 4:7). While our inward man is gaining strength, our outward man is perishing (2 Cor 4:16). But those who have "learned Christ" (Eph 4:20) do not despair. They know God has prepared a suitable body for them, and that it is eternal in the heavens. They are so convinced of this they refuse to let their present bodies dominate them. How do they know these things? Because they are His friends, Christ has unveiled them to their spirits.

COMPLETE TRANSFORMATION IS ON THE WAY. "Beloved, now are we the sons of God, and it doth not yet appear what we shall be: but WE KNOW that, when He shall appear, we shall be like Him; for we shall see Him as He is" (1 John 3:2). Not only do the saints know a transformation is coming, they know when and how it will take place. The very glory of Christ that will consume the wicked, will transform them into His glorious likeness (2 Thess 1:7-10; Phil 3:20-21). It is true, we know this because the Scriptures declare it to be so. But we have been persuaded of the truth of this through Jesus Himself, who is "the Chief Shepherd and Bishop of our souls" (1 Pet 2:25).

WHO WE ARE AND WHO THE WORLD IS. "And WE KNOW that we are of God, and the whole world lieth in wickedness" (1 John 5:19). The people of God really do know who they are. They also are keenly aware that the entire world lies under the sway of the wicked one. Their persuasion of these realities compels them to seek the Lord and resist the devil. And where did they obtain such a powerful knowledge. It is the privilege of Jesus' friends.

WHAT JESUS IS DOING. "And WE KNOW that the Son of God is come, and hath given us an understanding, that we may know Him that is true, and we are in Him that is true, even in His Son Jesus Christ. This is the true God, and eternal life" (1 John 5:20). Knowing that some will imagine the knowledge just mentioned is brought to us through our intellect alone, I draw attention to this wonderful expression. Jesus has come to "give us an understanding." This is not referring to His life in the flesh, when He "dwelt among us." Rather, this is His current ministry. He is tutoring us in heavenly realities, giving us an understanding of God Himself. This is the teaching mentioned to the Ephesians. "But ye have not so learned Christ; If so be that ye have heard him, and have been taught by him, as the truth is in Jesus" (Eph 4:20-21). The reception of such wonderful teaching is proof you are His friend! He is showing you the things of God.

PRAYER POINT: Father, I thank and praise You through Jesus for providing such a marvelous Teacher!

-- Tomorrow: CONCLUSION TO SERIES --
-- Tuesday: New Series, "BETTER THINGS" --