Day 36: John 15:9-17
9 “As the Father has loved me, so have I loved you. Now remain in my love. 10 If you keep my commands, you will remain in my love, just as I have kept my Father’s commands and remain in his love. 11 I have told you this so that my joy may be in you and that your joy may be complete. 12 My command is this: Love each other as I have loved you. 13 Greater love has no one than this: to lay down one’s life for one’s friends. 14 You are my friends if you do what I command. 15 I no longer call you servants, because a servant does not know his master’s business. Instead, I have called you friends, for everything that I learned from my Father I have made known to you. 16 You did not choose me, but I chose you and appointed you so that you might go and bear fruit—fruit that will last—and so that whatever you ask in my name the Father will give you. 17 This is my command: Love each other.
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Social networking is a huge part of our lives these days. There are millions of users and each user has an individual page with pictures and details about themselves that can be seen by ‘friends.’ When we ‘friend’ someone it opens the door to information about who you are, where you go, and what you do. But, here is the thing – each friendship is by invitation only.
Jesus wants to be our friend. He extends that invitation of friendship to us. We just have to reach out and accept it, and then we can learn more about him and grow in our relationship with him. Notice verses 14-16 of our scripture for today:
“You are my friends if you do what I command. I no longer call you servants, because a servant does not know his master’s business. Instead, I have called you friends, for everything that I learned from my Father I have made known to you. You did not choose me, but I chose you.”
Trust, selflessness, and unity are all signs of a good friendship. These are all things our heavenly Father extends to us. God gave His son, Jesus, who gave his life for us, inviting us to know him and to follow him.
Have you responded to his invitation of friendship? We can open our hearts to him with confidence. He longs to be your friend!
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Pam Little | Children's Ministry Director, Lima Community Church