There's a popular praise chorus "I Am A Friend of God" that is sung in many churches these days. Frankly, I cringe each time I hear it. Not that I don't like being a friend of God, but that it all seems much too casual and I'm fairly certain most people singing it have no concept of what it means to be a friend of God.
Oh we like the idea of God being OUR friend, it gives us warm fuzzy feelings and thoughts of comfort. But for us to be God's friend, well that's a different matter.
One of those verses that we often quote "No one has greater love than this, to lay down one's life for his friends" But Jesus goes on to say "You are my friends, IF you do what I command you. I do not call you servants/slaves any longer, because the servant does not know what the master is doing; but I have called you friends, because I have made known to you everything that I have heard from my Father. You did not choose me, but I chose you. And I appointed you to go and bear fruit, fruit that will last, so that the Father will give you whatever you ask him in my name. I am giving you these commands so that you may love one another." John 15:13-17
Being a friend of God is serious stuff. It has eternal consequences and comes with heavy responsibility. It's called being a disciple of Christ; taking up our cross daily and following him; abiding in him; bearing fruit; and of course, loving one another which is the supreme measure of friendship with God.
Well - I suppose I'll not approach that chorus the same way, ever again.
Father, indeed you are a better friend to me, than I will ever be to You. Nevertheless, let me keep my focus on abiding in Christ and the command to "love one another" and bear the fruit that comes from that. In Jesus name.
No comments:
Post a Comment