August 20
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CONDITION TO BE FRIENDS OF GOD
12 “This is My commandment, that you love one another, just as I have loved you. 13 Greater love has no one than this, that one lay down his life for his friends. 14 You are My friends if you do what I command you. 15 No longer do I call you slaves, for the slave does not know what his master is doing; but I have called you friends, for all things that I have heard from My Father I have made known to you. 16 You did not choose Me but I chose you, and appointed you that you would go and bear fruit, and that your fruit would remain, so that whatever you ask of the Father in My name He may give to you. 17 This I command you, that you love one another. – John 15:12-17
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In this account, Jesus clearly explains the requirements and details of how one becomes included in God’s circle of friends. First and foremost, He is the one who chose all who belong to Him. He chose us first. He gave us the free will to receive His invitation to be His friend. We can either accept or reject Him. He will never force His will on us. One of the conditions He requires is for His follower to love one another as He has loved them. Jesus summed up all the laws in the commandment to love each other as He has loved us. According to Him, love means laying down one’s life for your friends. He calls us friends when we obey his command to love. Obedience to this command brings them to a new level of relationship with God: they are no longer slaves but they have become friends with Him. A slave doesn’t have full knowledge of what his master is doing but friends become privy to their friend’s concerns or affairs. In verse 15 Jesus says that all the things His Father told him will be passed on to those who obey His command, so that His friends can enjoy the same standing and the same privileges He has. Whom He chose, He also pre-destined to work for His kingdom and bear fruit. Thus, they are able to spread to the world his kingdom plan and His will can be fulfilled and He be glorified. As the friend of God continues to follow Jesus’ lead, they become fruitful and get another benefit: that they will be granted whatever they ask in His name. What wonderful promises Jesus gave to those who follow His commands. They are called His friends, they bear fruits, they become intimate with the Lord and have the benefit of being granted whatever they ask in His name. The world, on the other hand views friendship in a very different light. Friendship with the world means a “self-centered” based relationship, while friendship with God is a “selfless” focused relationship that obeys God’s commands.
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REFLECTION
• How can we maintain our position in Christ while we live in this corrupt world?