Today’s Word: SERVANT or FRIEND? · Standing & Rebuilding Ministry

3d (edited) • Prayer & Refl./Pastor Jackie

Today’s Word: SERVANT or FRIEND?

John 15:9–17 NIV

“As the Father has loved me, so have I loved you. Now remain in my love. 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. I have told you this so that my joy may be in you and that your joy may be complete. My command is this: Love each other as I have loved you. Greater love has no one than this: to lay down one’s life for one’s friends. 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 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. This is my command: Love each other.”

Something to Think About

Jesus declares that He will no longer call His disciples servants, but friends. Why? Servants don’t know the master’s business, but friends do (v. 15). In other words, we don’t just know His commands, but also His heart.

The roles of a servant and a friend both involve obedience, but one involves intimacy. Obedience without intimacy leads to legalism, fear, and self-righteousness. It assumes that God’s love is conditional or does not exist at all. Obedience from intimacy leads to love, freedom, and delight. It knows God’s love is unconditional because it is aligned with the heart of the Father.

Friendship with Jesus does not mean we have the freedom to disobey Him. Rather, it transforms the nature of our obedience. It distinguishes between earning God’s love (which we cannot do) or striving to avoid punishment and putting in effort to respond to His love and seeking to know Him more deeply.

As we remain in God’s love, we are compelled to love one another.

As we love one another, we are drawn deeper into God’s love. This is not about meeting conditions for God’s love but about stepping into the fullness of it.

As we remain in God’s love and love one another, we step into the fullness of His love—a love that transforms us, draws us closer to Him, and overflows into the world. In this, our joy is made complete, and we bear fruit that lasts.

Please COMMENT:

How has the love of Christ transformed your life? Name one of these examples:

Forgiveness? Attitude adjustment? New or different relationships? Any others?

Would you say that you are a servant of Jesus, or a friend? How can you tell?

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