See Image

Snapshot

Dear Friend

In John 15:14, Jesus gave us the key to the amazing, unique wonder of friendship with Him: “Ye are my friends, if ye do whatever I command you.” This key is the word “whatever.”

Every newly born-again Christian will without exception obey some of Jesus' teachings in the days and weeks following his (or her) conversion. After coming under steady Bible teaching, believers usually obey more steadily. Christians who seriously commit to discipleship obey even more of Jesus' sayings, and with more consistency. Mature, spiritually minded Christians will obey nearly all of them. But precious few will obey all Jesus asks of them - all His biblical commands, every leading of His Holy Spirit, every word of corrective counsel, every call to service, or every call to remain faithful in testing or suffering. You may object to this or deny it, but these are the facts. This is the reality of current Christianity. But it doesn’t have to be.

All of us can obey all Jesus asks, all the time, in all settings, and in all issues - if we will. Whosoever is humble enough in spirit and broken enough in will may obey “whatever” He asks. This is complete surrender. This is total abandon. This is entire consecration. This is a “living sacrifice” Christian (Romans 12:1). This is a close, personal friend of Jesus Christ!

Something in you may object: “That’s impossible! It’s too lofty, an unreal, unreachable goal!” Well, I can empathize with you, because I, too, have an old nature and know the painful feelings it stirs whenever I let my old self overrule my new life in Christ: frustration, futility, self-doubt, exasperation! But while empathizing, I cannot agree.

Four reasons compel me to strive for genuine personal friendship with Christ and urge you to do the same.

First, the Bible unmistakably asserts, “I can do all things through Christ who strengthens me” (Philippians 4:13, NKJV). So, “all things” in God’s will are now possible to me “through” Christ’s grace-given “strength.” Second, Jesus explicitly promised His friendship to believers who qualify and would not have done so if it were impossible. Jesus never misleads. Third, the supernatural benefits of Christ’s redemption - an impartation of His own nature and Spirit, and the Spirit’s gracious, wise, constant training in learning and living God’s Word - fully equip us to attain in Christ what we cannot attain in self. Fourth, the Bible gives us undeniable examples of friends of God.

Abraham, Moses, Joseph, David, and Paul, these were without question friends of God. They knew the key to divine friendship - complete surrender! - and used it to open, enter, and inhabit the wonderland of divine intimacy and extraordinary favor with the Most High.

You and I have the same key available to us. Jesus gave it to us in this text we are examining: “if you do whatever I command you.” All we have to do is use it.

What is the “whatever” that stands between you and friendship with Christ right now, this moment, in your present trial? Over what sin or selfish desire have you been having a volitional wrestling match with God, as Jacob did at Peniel? If I may humbly challenge you, why not test the Lord and see if He will not respond by giving you the fullness of His friendship if you will give Him the fullness of your surrender.

Prayer is answered there, quickly and distinctly, for yourself, your loved ones, your friends, and even strangers you take before Christ’s throne of mercy. Scripture is opened there, clearly and inspiringly, just when you need it in the trials of life.

Peace is given there, so deep, so undisturbable, that you can lay down and sleep in faith, like Peter, on the eve of seeming failure or destruction (Acts 12:6). Joy is found there, like the very river of God’s presence (Ezekiel 47:1-12), never drying, never ending, ever deeper, ever more refreshing - and fruitful!

Purpose is found there, giving you a renewed meaning for living every morning and a holy thrill in discharging every duty Christ assigns you, however humble and hidden. Hope is there, so sure, so strong, so invigorating, that it cannot be quenched, but instead quenches all the bad news and discouraging events that would normally leave you hopeless and despairing.

So, do not accept the lying suggestion of unbelief: you have not been locked out from enjoying the same intimate, heavenly communion with God that Abraham, Moses, Joseph, Paul, and David experienced. The door to Jesus' inner circle stands before you, ready to be opened. Use your key. Do “whatever” you have been refusing to do, and watch Jesus respond. The wonder of divine friendship awaits.