FS Word of Power
Eva Windahl
“He Calls Me Friend”
A couple of days ago I noticed that I had approximately 2600 Facebook “friends.” Most of them are more acquaintances than close friends but I appreciate each one for the connection and I love getting to know people from all walks of life. Now, some of my FB friends are really close. They are like family to me and some of them are intercessors and friends who I truly am very grateful for. Each true friend is such a God given gift. As I was thanking God for all my friends worldwide, I was reminded of what Yeshua told his disciples in John 15:15; “I no longer call you servants, for a servant does not know what his master does. But I have called you friends, for everything that I have heard from My Father have I made known to you.”
The word servant or doulos in the Greek means slave. Jesus told His disciples, “I no longer call you “slaves”, but I call you “friend”. In the Bible, being a servant of God was no shame, it was a position of status and high honor. Moses, Joshua and David were all called servants or slaves of God. The apostle Paul even identified himself as a slave of the Lord Jesus Christ, which he too considered to be an honor. Romans 1:1 “Paul, a servant of Jesus Christ, called to be an apostle and set apart for the Gospel of Jesus Christ.” On the other hand, we read about Abraham, the Father of the “Faith” is called a “friend” of God. Why is that? Being a friend of God implies faith in God and intimacy with God that is available through a personal relationship with Jesus Christ. To become a friend of Jesus it starts with a love for God through receiving Jesus. He is the way to the Father´s heart. Only love can produce love in return. When God calls Abraham “friend” He is actually using the Hebrew word ahav meaning intimate love or in other words: God was “in love” with Abraham. That may sound a bit odd but when God talks about friendship, he means a LOVE relationship.
In John 3:16 it is clear that “For God so loved the world that He gave His only begotten Son, that whoever believes in Him should not perish, but have eternal life.” A servant does not have the same responsibilities as a friend. When one is a servant one simply follows directions. They do what they are told, but Yeshua emphasizes that “I no longer call you slaves, but I call you friends”- loved friends. What an honor! What a BLESSING that God has promoted us from the status of “slaves” to “friends” by faith through his Son! This should have a GREAT IMPACT on how we relate to God. You see really close friends share the same interests, the same heart, the same vison and the same passion. When we are FRIENDS with God other people should notice that! We should reflect who we share our lives with and how much we love our friend, our Savior, our Lord! Aren´t you glad and want to rejoice together with me saying: THANK YOU LORD for being my friend forever!
Bless you my friend <3