“I do not call you servants anymore because a servant doesn’t know what his master is doing. I have called you friends, because I have made known to you everything I have heard from my Father. You did not choose me, but I chose you. I appointed you to go and produce fruit and that your fruit should remain, so that whatever you ask in my name, he will give you.” (CSB)

So much in these two verses. Being a “friend of God” is something that has consumed me since I was a teenager. The idea of Abraham as a “friend of God”, close to him, a co-laborer, part of the plan, was something that got my attention early. It is more than a feeling, but a calling, a responsibility, a position.

Jesus says, “I do not call you servants anymore” – They had grown… but it was known and expected by God. They went from seekers, to followers, to believers, to servants, and now friends.

Why does he call them friends? Because…

• He revealed his purpose and plans
• “I chose you” – before they progressed, he had a plan. eklegomai = select of one or more alternatives. He decided to choose them. He did not have to, but he did… and then…
• “I appointed you” – tithemi = put, place, lay, appoint, assign.
• “to go… and produce fruit… that should remain
• So that… whatever you ask… anything I want? no… in my name – that is in his character. his purpose, for his glory

The transition to “friend” carries with it a passion FOR the friendship. Friendship is no longer about ME, but about the purpose of the relationship

A friend of Christ is…

• grateful to be chosen,
• feels a responsibility from the assignment…
• must Know and then Go… Henry Blackaby says, “you can’t stay where you are and go with God”
• Produce sustainable work
• Then… “whatever you ask”… the fact of an “ask” reveals the internal desire. The “ask” reveals heart, passion, purpose. Whatever your desires are – a friend has the desire to please the object of our friendship.
• in my name – according to his revealed will, which is revealed from the Father. According to his position as son. According to his purpose. For his glory. Part of the work of the Spirit in our lives is to reveal, confirm, convict us of the will of God, and then empower us to move in that appointed task
• THEN… he (the Father) will give you. If I’m asking and God is not giving, then either the time is wrong, or it is not according to the nature, purpose, position, and posterity of Jesus the Son.

We could spend a LONG time here, but that’s for another time…

George Washington said, “True Friendship is a plant of slow growth”

Thomas Aquinas said, “There is nothing on this earth to be more prized than true friendship.”

On a different and erroneous level, Jim Morrison said, “a friend is someone who gives you total freedom to be yourself”.

Yeah, that SOUNDS good, but what if who I am is wrong, deadly, and dangerous? True Friendship is committed to the Advancement of the Friend. I want to be a “Friend of Christ” for his glory, his purpose.

So, one other quote of interest…

Ralph Waldo Emerson said, “the glory of friendship is not the outstretched hand, not the kindly smile, nor the joy of companionship, it is the Spiritual Inspiration that comes when you discover that someone else believes in you and is willing to trust you with a friendship.”

Jesus has called us “friends”… oh my, I want to live up to that…