Servanthood or friendship III

Last time I wrote I talked about a works mentality or earning my way with God. Although I definitely believe that works as a result of salvation out of a grateful heart are appropriate and necessary, I believe trying to earn my way with God through works is an attitude that offends His heart. It looks to me as if in John 15:12-17 the emphasis is on the relationship aspect of friendship as opposed to the servant aspect. I believe that what God wants is friendship. If you look at the very beginning of mans relating with God. God is the initiator of relationship through creation. God also is the initiator of the restoration of that relationship as shown in these passages in that He showed the “greater love” in laying down His life for His friends.

 

John 15:12-17 (ESV) ¹²”This is my commandment, that you love one another as I have loved you. ¹³ Greater love has no one than this, that someone lays down his life for his friends. ¹⁴ You are my friends if you do what I command you. ¹⁵ No longer do I call you servants (doulos), for the servant (doulos) does not know what his master (kyrios) is doing; but I have called you friends (philos), for all that I have 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 abide, so that whatever you ask the Father in my name, he may give it to you. ¹⁷ These things I command you, so that you will love one another.

 

One of the most profound statements in this passage and perhaps in the whole Bible is that of “You did not choose me, but I chose you”. The God of the universe Creator and Owner of all that is and ever will be “chose” to have a relationship with me and one of a friendship and partnership nature. If that doesn’t blow your mind get this He wants to be intimate with me, He wants me to be a part of His Bride. Wow that doesn’t seem like he views me as a “doulos” bond slave. I am married. I have a bride that God has blessed me with. We have been married for over 18 years and an item for more than 20. We are high school sweethearts and she is my best friend. I can assure you that in no way shape or form do I remotely view her as my “bond slave”. So the Husband of husbands, the perfect example views me as His bride and friend. As a side note we in a marriage covenant should view each other in the same light.

 

Back on point: He has called me His friend, and has even according to this passage given me the right to use His name in making requests to the Father. Why? So that we might bear fruit and that our fruit in Him might remain! Like we said earlier God initiated this friendship at creation, and what was one of the first things He spoke over His creation? “Be fruitful and multiply”. I believe that God has always wanted us and all of His creation to be fruitful and that our fruit remain. The thing is that my fruit outside of Him rots and doesn’t remain but experiences decay. The only remaining and lasting fruit is brought about by a friend of Jesus glorifying Him.

 

Lastly does a bond slave have a right to ask his master for anything? Yet Jesus said in this passage I could ask anything of the Father in His name and He would grant it. Obviously I believe that God is not some supernatural sugar daddy and that God in His wisdom and providence has the ability and right to say no, but what if the reason many of my prayers aren’t answered is that I am approaching God as a doulos? A slave doesn’t have the right to ask for anything! A slave gets what he gets. If I insist on relating to God on that basis I have no right to approach at all except to beg, and God doesn’t respond to begging. God does respond to faith, especially, I believe, the faith of a friend.

 

Jesus calls me His friend…….. and I am.

Servanthood or friendship II

For years I have believed that I should approach God on the basis of being a servant (doulos.) I have been taught it, and even taught it myself. I have used as a basis for my thoughts where Paul talked about being bought with a Price. I even had BWAP imprinted on a Bible I bought. I have used that concept where I am a servant and He is my master for years, and while it is true recently the Lord has shown me what I believe is a higher way.

 

John 15:12-17 (ESV) ¹²  “This is my commandment, that you love one another as I have loved you. ¹³  Greater love has no one than this, that someone lays down his life for his friends. ¹⁴ You are my friends if you do what I command you. ¹⁵  No longer do I call you servants (doulos), for the servant (doulos) does not know what his master (kyrios) is doing; but I have called you friends (philos), for all that I have 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 abide, so that whatever you ask the Father in my name, he may give it to you. ¹⁷ These things I command you, so that you will love one another.

 

What I need to see here is that a servant or “doulos” is a bond-slave it can be voluntary or involuntary. And a bond slave has no rights or privileges and is literally owned by another person a “kyrios” or one who is supreme in authority over their lives. When this country was settled there were people in Europe who wanted to come over to the new world who couldn’t afford the trip or the money to get started. So what they would do is to sell themselves or make themselves a “bondservant” to pay off the money they borrowed to get here. They indentured themselves to pay a debt and they became a slave and had a master or a “kyrios”. I believe that in this passage of scripture Jesus laid out the way he intended for us to relate to Him and also to the Father. Why would He have to be so specific? My thoughts are that He knew man’s desire to carry his own weight and lack of ability to accept a gift he didn’t earn. Salvation cost Jesus dearly but He gave it to us without cost as a gift. What does God think about my trying to earn or pay for what he gave me as a gift? I believe that when I insist on relating to God as a lowly “doulos” and a sinner saved by grace that is exactly what I am doing. I am trying to pay my own way, and that I believe is a works mentality that may well offend the heart of God.

 

To be continued:

Servanthood or Friendship?

God has been dealing with me about the way that I relate to Him and the basis on which I approach Him. While it is true that I have been “Bought with a Price” (Jesus’ Blood) one more precious than anything, I am not expected to pay a debt off by becoming a bond slave or an indentured servant. I don’t believe that God wants me to continue to relate to Him in that manner. Which is why I changed the name of my blog. I am working on something that for me in my life is fairly profound. God is shining a light on a legalistic works based attitude in my heart. My next blog or two I will share it with you. If you get a chance, check out this scripture:

 

John 15:15. ESV

 

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