Discipleship Devotional Study Guide – Identity – John 15:13-15 – I Have Called You Friends – Growing As Disciples
Greater love has no one than this, that he lay down his life for his 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. John 15:13-15 (NIV)
You Are My Friend
What have I done for you? How completely have I shown you that I love you? Could I have done anything more significant for you than to lay down my life for you? Does that not say it all to you? Yes Lord, it does. Your death on my behalf says it all. You laid down your life for my sins. I was living far away from you as your enemy. Yet, you were willing to make me your friend by dying for me on the cross. That is amazing love displayed in the fullest possible measure. No other gift could be more valuable. No other sacrifice could have been more costly. You gave all that you had for me. I am so grateful and thankful for you love and the new life you have given to me.
How can I express my gratitude to you? What will my thankfulness cause me to do? What desire rises in my heart to express my love to you? Those are very good questions. What answers come to your heart and mind? I want to live my life fully for you. Not because I should or must, although both of those would be true. But your love for me has caused me to love you. I can’t stop or limit this love. It is like a spring of fresh living water coming up and overflowing my soul. This love comes from you of that I am sure.
Out of this love in me comes a question. The question is, “What can I do for you today?” The desire of my heart is to know what you want and to do what you ask. I want to follow you and go wherever you lead me. Not the least bit reluctantly but with a joy filled heart because I love you.
The idea that you and I are friends is wonderful. I was happy to be called your servant because it is my joy to serve you. But to be your friend is beyond imagination. I want to shout, “the Lord and I are friends!” That thought needs to sink deeply into my heart and mind. Yes, it does. Will you help me to comprehend all that being your friend means? Yes, I most certainly will. I know that being your friend means that I will listen to you and do what you ask. Will you? Yes Lord, with a glad heart I will. Very good, as you continue to do so, our friendship will deepen. You will grow in your understanding of my will and ways. Is that what you want? Yes Lord, it is! Follow me where I lead you. Yes Lord, I will.
Lord, thank you for demonstrating your love to me by laying down your life for me. I will demonstrate my love for you by doing what you ask of me. It is my joy to follow you. Strengthen and show me how to live my life for you. Amen
For today’s complete 4 page Discipleship Devotional Study Guide click here:
Identity – John 15-13-15 – I Have Called You Friends – 4 Page Discipleship Devotional Study Guide
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