Undeniably, the Bible reveals that the Creator of the universe, the God of heaven and earth, is a friend to those who believe in Him. A powerful testament to this truth is found in John 15:10-18
| 10 If you keep My commandmentS [if you continue to obey My instructions], you will abide in My love and live on in it, just as I have obeyed My Father’s commandments and live on in His love. 11 I have told you these things, that My joy and delight may be in you, and that your joy and gladness may be of full measure and complete and overflowing. 12 This is My COMMANDMENT: that you love one another [just] as I have loved you. 13 No one has greater love [no one has shown stronger affection] than to lay down (give up) his own life for his friends. 14 You are My friends if you keep on doing the things which I command you to do. 15 I do not call you servants (slaves) any longer, for the servant does not know what his master is doing (working out). But I have called you My friends, because I have made known to you everything that I have heard from My Father. [I have revealed to you everything that I have learned from Him.] 16 You have not chosen Me, but I have chosen you and I have appointed you [I have planted you], that you might go and bear fruit and keep on bearing, and that your fruit may be lasting [that it may remain, abide], so that whatever you ask the Father in My Name [as presenting all that I AM], He may give it to you. 17 This is what I command you: that you love one another. 18 If the world hates you, know that it hated Me before it hated you. (John 15:10-18 AMPC) |
Contrary to the automatic assumption that Jesus is a friend to all believers, John 15 clearly outlines a conditional friendship. Not everyone can claim this intimate relationship with Christ. In fact, Jesus explicitly labels those who do not produce the fruit of His commands as “slaves”, not His friends.
John 15:14 unequivocally states, “You are My friends if you keep on doing the things I command you.” This verse establishes a clear condition for friendship with Jesus: obedience to His commands.
While modern theology often emphasizes a believer’s identity based solely on Jesus’ obedience and resulting “right standing,” this perspective is not supported by John 15. Instead, Jesus highlights His active role in choosing believers and appointing them to bear fruit. The promise of answered prayer is directly linked to fruit-bearing (verse 16), implying that prayer is ineffective without this evidence of discipleship.
Furthermore, abundant fruit brings glory to God the Father and serves as a distinguishing mark of true followers (verse 8). Consequently, the scripture is saying those who do not bear fruit are not true followers or true Christians.
Clearly, the “fruit” mentioned here does not refer to the “Fruit of the Spirit,” of Galatians 5 but rather to fulfilling His commandments.
Verse 17 clarifies that this commandment is about “loving one another,” as Jesus instructed: “Love one another just as I have loved you” (verse 12).
It’s important to note that verse 10 refers to “commandments” (plural), while verse 12 refers to a “commandment” (singular).
Is there a discrepancy? No.
The plural “commandments” encompass:
– His instructions,
– Abiding in His love, and
– Living in it.
This aligns with how Jesus obeyed the Father’s commandments and lived in His love (verse 10). The greatest commandment is “LOVE,” which encapsulates all the instructions outlined in verse 10. Love is not merely a matter of words; it requires action, exemplified by “laying down one’s life for friends.”
CONCLUSION
In conclusion, the greatest commandment is “LOVE,” which encapsulates all the instructions outlined in verse 10. Love is not merely a matter of words; it requires action, exemplified by “laying down one’s life for friends. (verses 13-14).” Amenbible
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Jesus is my friend – Part 2
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