FRIENDSHIP
Brother James, OIC
Joh 15:14 Ye are my friends, if ye do whatsoever I command you.
Friendship with Jesus is the most important friendship you will ever have offered. In fact it is so important that God Himself ordained it and Satan will stop at nothing to keep you from receiving it.
To be Jesus friend requires obedience to His Commands. Its not the Commandments of the Law this is talking about . Its His Commandment to Love others as He has Loved you. This Love isn't a natural Love but it is one that seals your Friendship with Him and hides your life in Christ in God. Its a Friendship that takes you up and seats you in heavenly places.
What births this friendship and strengthens us to Love as He Loves is the Word of Truth, His Seed Received in understanding that cultivates His Power in your earthen vessel. The Commandments of the Law could never do this as they were burdensome in their requirements and impossible to live by as they imputed sin to us.
1Jn 5:3 For this is the love of God, that we keep his commandments: and his commandments are not grievous.
Joh 13:34 A new commandment I give unto you, That ye love one another; as I have loved you, that ye also love one another.
1Jn 2:5 But whoso keepeth his word, in him verily is the love of God perfected: hereby know we that we are in him.
The natural man develops and sees friendships from a self centered emotional need. Even those that have seemingly good lives, it is usually pride in, of and toward their family, their worldly accomplishments, their children's successes, their acquaintances and those that they consider close friends. All of this is because of some natural satisfaction that is only temporal...none of which glorifies God.
Friendship that glorifies God and walks in the Love and Light of Christ is one that selflessly meets another need physical, emotional and then the most importantly their spiritual needs by speaking the Truth in Love. And this Love is Friendship with Christ and is His Command.
