I unfortunately many times would cringe to hear the singing of What a Friend I have in Jesus. Mostly for the self-righteousness of the person singing and their intended meaning but also I have always felt an un-reverence in the expression and in my own inabilities and seemly distance from Him a difficulty saying friend. BUT I must believe and understand, and thankfully by His grace He has made known unto me, that despite what I feel or do He is pleased to call me His friend.
Extra credit: Today we have one from John Angell James on Is this your religion? It is actually more of a look at love. Bear in mind brother that though we should strive for this enduring love to Christ and others think also that He first loved us and we are the recipients of these statements.
Jhn 15:12 This is my commandment, That ye love one another, as I have loved you.
Jhn 15:13 Greater love hath no man than this, that a man lay down his life for his friends.
Jhn 15:14 Ye are my friends, if ye do whatsoever I command you.
Jhn 15:15 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.
What is suggested by friend?
Oh the pause and reflection one can not help but make when reading these verses. Oh the humility it should instill. We know that we do not love Christ as He ought to be loved. And now His commandment to not only love your neighbor but to love them as He loved you. It is understandable that we in the flesh all see our lack of ability to fulfill this task and feel the heavy weight of our responsibility placed on us. But brother what burden is this that we try to carry, is this our obligation as a servant or slave. Do we fear the punishment and strips of our master that we try to accomplish His law. Brother can you not see the sweet intimate declaration Christ bestows on you, His friend. In the Greek, friend, carried a powerful closeness, and what a blessing we have here to be known as a friend of God! We are not merely servants trying to accomplish our masters will, no we are His friends! We are delegated to be His friend and are eager to do what He asks of us. A friend is close, trusting, and acts in love. A friend is confidant who no secrets are kept. A friend desires to lessen the load of their companion. And He is our friend! He is close to you and acts in love. He reveals to you, as you are able to receive it, His purpose, His counsel, the great design of His grace, and shows the glory in His redemptive work. And as your friend there is no burden to heavy. Though in the flesh we struggle with our depravity, sin, and guilty but brother do not look at yourself as distant from God failing to do your masters bidding. For Henceforth he calls you not servants; for the servant knoweth not what his lord doeth: but he has called you friends!
