Friendship With the Lord is Conditional     
 

by Jonathan Perz

 

In John 15:14, the Lord Jesus says, “You are my friends, if you do whatever I command you.”  Amazingly enough, one word within this phrase causes much difficulty. It is the word “IF.” Though only two letters long, it is one of the most powerful words in scripture. Why? Because it implies a condition that must be met for the statement to be true. In order to maintain a friendship with the Lord, one must do whatever He commands. Jesus states this in plain language in John 15:14. Many people try to claim an intimate friendship with God while at the same time maintaining an intimate friendship with the world. While proclaiming to be Christians, they partake of the very things the Lord commands Christians to abstain from. This is not being a friend to Christ. Regarding friendship with the world, James writes in James 4:4, “Adulterers and adulteresses! Do you not know that friendship with the world is enmity with God? Whoever therefore wants to be a friend of the world makes himself an enemy of God.” When we befriend the world, we make an enemy of God. Many claim to be friends of Jesus Christ yet do not obey His words. In Mark 16:15-16, Jesus commands men to be baptized, yet many claim it is not necessary. Not only do they disobey the Lord, they contradict Him. Is this an example of friendship with the Lord? Remember what the Lord said in John 15:14, “You are my friends, if you do whatever I command you.” Let us become friends with God on His terms. Let us be like faithful Abraham. As it is written, “and Abraham believed God… He was called a friend of God” (James 2:23). Don’t incur the punishment of one who is not a friend of the Lord (2 Thess. 1:8-9). Obey the Gospel today!     Other Articles by Jonathan Perz Catechismal Christianity Spiritual Pushovers and Terminal Hardheadedness An Open Letter to Christians Slow to Wrath God Help Me To Be A Better Listener The Reluctant Disciple Light or Darkness "Confused" by Truth Dressing Our Daughters Like Prostitutes Is the New Testament a Law? Coming to the Defense of Sin and Error Fellowship With God is Conditional     For Past Auburn Beacons go to: www.aubeacon.com/Bulletins.htm   Anyone can join the mailing list for the Auburn Beacon! Send your request to: larryrouse@aubeacon.com