DEVELOPING YOUR  FRIENDSHIP WITH GOD (2)              John 15-9-17

Ye are my friends, if ye do whatsoever I command you.  (v14)

(4) I must choose to obey God in faith Every time you trust God’s wisdom and do whatever he says, even when you don’t understand it, you deepen your friendship with God. We don’t normally think of obedience as a characteristic of friendship with a parent or the boss or a superior officer, not a friend. However, Jesus made it clear that obedience is a condition of  intimacy with God. (John 15:14) We obey God, not out of duty or fear or compulsion, but because we love him and trust that He knows what is best for us. Unbelievers often think Christians obey out of obligation or guilt or fear of punishment. Because we have been forgiven and set free, we obey out of love – and our obedience brings great joy  (John 15:9-11 (NLT) Notice that Jesus expects us to do only what He did with the Father. His relationship with His Father is the model for our friendship with Him. Jesus did whatever the Father asked Him to do – out of love. True friendship isn’t passive, it acts. When Jesus asks us to love others, help the needy, share our resources, keep our lives clean, offer forgiveness and bring others to Him, love motivates us to obey immediately. We are often challenged to do “great things” for God. Actually, God is more pleased when we do small things for Him out of loving obedience. Great opportunities surround us everyday. (1 Samuel 15:22) Jesus began his public ministry at the age of thirty by being baptized by John (Matthew 3:17 NLT) – (Rick Warren)

PRAYER LINE: Father, please help me to deliberately take the time to spend with You and develop a passion that  will endure forever. In Jesus’ Name I pray. Amen

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Living for God begins with resting in His presence.