Most of us are familiar with the first verse of this duo, about laying one’s life down for friends, but I want to spend some time looking at the second—what Jesus said qualifies us as His friends:
You are my friends
if you do
what I command.
But I thought I was Jesus’ friend just because I exist!
I think we get this confused with the love God has for us just because we exist. This is more of how we are showing ourselves as His friends.
There was a couple with whom we were great friends, spending time together, talking, shopping, camping, going to church, and going to dinner. Then one day something happened that they no longer wanted to hang out and they stopped showing up.
A year or more later, my husband heard of a need the couple had and he knew that he had the ability to meet that need. He did so, delivering it right to their doorstep.
The man came out of his house, surprised to see my beloved there since they had so completely extricated themselves from our sphere. He even asked why my husband would go to the trouble for someone who wasn’t his friend. Hubby explained that while the man and his wife may have decided to stop being friends, he had not.
One of our core beliefs is that others don’t get to dictate how we behave toward them. We choose who our friends are, and whether they remain in our lives or move on, we continue as their friends.
I believe this is what Jesus was saying when He said that His friends are those who do as He commands. Those who are His friends are the ones who love Him regardless of circumstances or whether He says yes or no to a request. Friends are in the relationship for more than what they can get, and it shows. True friends may not be with you constantly, but they are there when the time is right.
Are you Jesus’ friend? Are you doing as He commanded? Are you loving Him above all else and others as yourself? Are you going into the workplace and community to share the gospel and help believers grow into maturity in their faith?
Today’s the day to evaluate. Make adjustments to mindset and actions as necessary.
Coffee, Bible, Journal.
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Faye Bryant is an author, coach, and speaker who helps individuals escape the lies of the enemy, live into God’s truth, and build a better life by first feeling, dealing, and healing their way through a stuck future or an abused past, toward a deeper path of purpose, and into the unhackable life of their chosen legacy. Hers is a story of resurrection: from death to life!
