OUR FATHER WHO CALLED HIS FOLLOWERS HIS FRIENDS

The book of John chapter 15 Verses 9 - 17 says this:

9 “As the Father loved Me I also have loved you; abide in My love. 10 If you keep My commandments, you will abide in My love, just as I have kept My Father’s commandments and abide in His love.

11 “These things I have spoken to you, that My joy may remain in you, and that your joy may be full. 12 This is My commandment, that you love one another as I have loved you. 13 Greater love has no one than this, than to lay down one’s life for his friends. 14 You are My friends if you do whatever I command you. 15 No longer do I call you servants, for a servant does not know what his master is doing; but I have called you friends, for all things that I heard from My Father I have made known to you. 16 You did not choose Me, but I chose you and appointed you that you should go and bear fruit, and that your fruit should remain, that whatever you ask the Father in My name He may give you. 17 These things I command you, that you love one another.

The Lord Jesus, talking to His disciples as they travelled to the garden of Gethsemene, spoke uplifting words to them. He told them they were now included in the knowledge of the things that the Father was making known to Him and thus they were no longer servants but rather friends.

He adjured them to love one another and to use the privilege of being chosen to bear fruit.

Amen.

4