| The Best Friend You Will Ever Have
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John 15:12-17
(NIV)
My
command is this: Love each other as I have
loved you. 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. You did not choose
me, but I chose you and appointed you to
go and bear fruit--fruit that will last.
Then the Father will give you whatever you
ask in my name. This is my command: Love
each other. |
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It is a sad fact that most Americans
have few, if any, true friends. We are simply too busy to
cultivate meaningful friendships.
This
is not the way of Christ. When you look at His life, you
notice right away that He spent a lot of time developing
intimate relationships with his disciples and followers.
He worked closely with the twelve, consulted privately with
His "inner circle" of Peter, James, and John,
and bestowed on John special attention as a friend. Jesus
set a wonderful example of how to acquire friends and how
to treat them.
As a true friend, Jesus:
- Loves you fully
and completely, not just because of who you are,
but simply because you are. Christ's love doesn't depend
upon what you do or cease when you fail - it is continuing
and unalterable.
- Accepts you
just the way you are. At the same time, He encourages
you to grow and realize your full potential. Knowing all
your capabilities perfectly, He doesn't want you to settle
for less than He has designed and equipped you to become.
- Understands
you fully. There's no path you walk that Christ
hasn't already trod. He may not approve of everything
you do, but He grasps your situation, feelings, and thought
processes in a way that is encouraging and uplifting.
Because Jesus is a true friend, you can
show Him your real self - even the parts you consider ugly
and unlovable - without fear of rejection or criticism.
Openly bring your concerns, hurts, hopes, and joys before
the Friend who loves you unconditionally.
© In-Touch Devotional
by Dr. Charles Stanley · InTouch.org
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