Christianity Oasis Forum

[cimi]

April 9
Thursday


THE HONOR
OF YOUR FRIENDSHIP

READ:
John 15:9-17
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I have called you
friends. __John 15:9-17
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During the marriage ceremony of a British couple, the best man remained motionless. Even after vows were exchanged, he didn't move.

The still figure was a racecar driver who was trying to be in two places at one time. Because of contractual commitments, Andy Priaulx, three-time world touring-car champion, had to break his promise to participate in his friend's wedding. So he sent a life-size cardboard cutout of himself, as well as a prerecorded speech. The bride said she was moved by his effort to honor their marriage.

Priaulx's gesture was certainly creative, and we shouldn't second-guess his actions. But Jesus gave us another standard by which to gauge friendship.

Jesus asked His disciples to show their friendship to Him by loving one another as He had loved them. Then, He raised the bar. In anticipation of His death on the cross, He said, "Greater love has no one than this, than to lay down one's life for his friends" (John 15:13).

This depth of friendship isn't merely about doing the right thing. It's about sacrifice, and it springs out of a relationship with the One who truly did lay down His life for us.

Are we showing others that we have been loved by Jesus as He is loved by His Father? (v.9). __Mart de Haan
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``````````````````````FOR FURTHER STUDY`````````````````````
````````````The Bible describes what real love looks like````````````
````````(1 Cor. 13). Check online for What Is Real Love? at``````````
````````www.discoveryseries.org/q0714 to study this passage.````````
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Love is more than a sentiment,
it's putting another's needs ahead of your won.

***************Today's Bible Reading __ John 15:9-17*************

9 As the Father loved Me, I
also have loved you; abide
in My love. 10 If you keep
My commandments, you
will abide in My love, just
as I have kept My Father's
commandments and abide
in His love.

11 These things I have
spoken to you, that My joy
may remain in you, and that
your joy may be full, 12 This
is My commandment, that
you love one another as I
have loved. 13 Greater
love has no one than this,
than to lay down one's life
for his friends. 14 You are
My friends if you do
whatever I command you.

15 No longer do I call you
servants, for a servant does
not know what his master is
doing; but I have called you
friends, for all things that I
heard from My Father I
have made known to you.

16 You did not choose Me,
but I chose you and
appointed you that you
should go and bear fruit,
and that your fruit should
remain, that whatever you
ask the Father in My name
He may give you. 17 These
things I command you, that
you love one another.

>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>INSIGHT<<<<<<<<<<<<<<<<<<<<<

In this portion of our Lord's "Upper Room Discourse" Christ
unfolds several ways that He has expressed His care for us. He has
loved us (v.9), He desires that our joy be full (v.11), He laid down
His life for us (v.13), He has called us friends (v.15), and He has
chosen us (v.16). This remarkable list expresses the depth of His love
for us and forms the context of His call for us to "love one another"
(v.17). __Bill Crowder