He Chose You!

Key verse

I no longer call you slaves, because a master doesn’t confide in his slaves. Now you are my friends, since I have told you everything the Father told Me. You didn’t choose Me. I chose you. I appointed you to go and produce lasting fruit, so that the Father will give you whatever you ask for, using My name. JOHN 15:15-16

Growing up, I always had a great understanding of God as my King, Savior, and Father. He is powerful and mighty. He’s our strong defender worthy of all my devotion. It was easy for me to picture our relationship in this king/servant dynamic. If He asked me to do something, my answer was “yes.” Period. It is my joy to honor Him with my life and with my “yes.” He is the King of kings. He is our Savior. He’s our good Father.

And while all of those attributes are true and it’s important for us to wholeheartedly submit to Him, John 15 reveals a different dynamic that God is calling us into. Friendship. Jesus tells us that we are no longer slaves, but we are His friends.

Wow! While servanthood is important, Jesus is taking us higher to the position of friend. What an upgrade! God isn’t looking for robots to mindlessly do what He tells them to do. He’s looking for friends and seeking real relationship with you.

“A master doesn’t confide in His slaves. Now you are my friends.” So God is looking to confide in you and me? Let that sink in. Friends share things that they wouldn’t tell other people. They trust each other. And God is looking to have that type of relationship with you, the type of relationship where you confide in Him and He confides in you. Much of John 15 talks about you abiding in Him and Him abiding in you, meaning to dwell together. God wants to hear your heart, and He wants to share His. He wants to dwell together with you. He wants to walk through life with you.

If you’re anything like me, you might be asking yourself, Me? God wants to confide in me, and share His heart with me? Yes. Jesus said so in verse 16. He chose you. He chose me. He wants a real relationship, not a dictatorship. As we cultivate real friendship with God, we become more like Him. And as we become more like Him, the fruit that our lives produce will be lasting, good fruit. That’s the kind of fruit I want my life to produce.

God is looking to build friendship with you. Talk to Him. Be real with Him. Listen to what He’s saying. He is the greatest friend.

Prayer

God, thank You for calling me Your friend. I am so thankful that You chose me. Change my perspective and help me see You as friend. I am no longer a slave. I am Your friend! Holy Spirit, I invite You to be part of my day. Speak to me today, and show me Your heart. I want to know You. I want to hear You. To simply be with You is my goal. I trust You, God. Amen.