SCRIPTURE: John 15:9-17
“I have called you friends.” (John 15:15)
God becomes one with humanity through Jesus.
Jesus, Who is God as a human, calls us friends.
Is this appropriate, is this reverent, that we should be friends with God?
This does not mean that we are now God’s equals.
But God does want us to be His partners, His co-workers in the garden.
God’s dream is a loving family, a harmony and cooperation with everyone.
This is what we need to experience the joy we all want, but cannot seem to find.
This is the problem in our world: we lack love, joy, peace, patience, kindness, etc.
God’s kingdom (His dream for this world) will not come through force or power.
Jesus’ plan is to raise up more friends, more partners, more people committed to love.
Luke Jesus, we are to go into a world of hate and violence and change it through love.
This is how people will know we are Jesus’ friends: if we love one another.
Hmm, how are we doing, is love what we are known for?
Are we bearing the kind of fruit that honours God and brings joy?
What do you sense the Lord saying to you?
PRAYER
Lord, You are my friend, and I am yours. But may I not just claim the title, may I also reveal it’s meaning in my life by producing joy through love.