You are My friends

Are you walking dead, or have you been made alive in Christ?  Jesus said, “You are My friends if you do what I command you.”

The context of verses (verses 7-17) around that statement shows us what Jesus wants of us, His followers:

• If you abide in Me, and My words abide in you ^(v7)
• that you bear much fruit, and so prove to be My disciples.
• abide in My love.
• keep My commandments
• so that My joy may be in you, and that your joy may be made full.
• love one another, just as I have loved you.
  
• do what I command you.
• go and bear fruit, and that your fruit would remain
• that whatever you ask of the Father in My name He may give to you.
• This I command you, that you love one another. ^(v17)
  

John 15:7-17
Jesus wants His followers to do, and say, and be…

1. abide in Me ^(v7)
   
2. My words abide in you
3. bear much fruit
   
4. prove to be My disciples
5. abide in My love
6. keep My commandments
7. so that My joy may be in you
8. that your joy may be made full
9. love one another, just as I have loved you
   
10. do what I command you
11. go and bear fruit
12. that your fruit would remain
13. that whatever you ask of the Father in My name He may give to you
14. This I command you, that you love one another ^(v17)
    

Greater love has no one than this,
that one lay down his life for his friends. – John 15:13

Forget the word “christian” for a moment.  Are you His follower?  Look at yourself!  Is your life Exhibit A, showing you actually follow?

True: We are not saved by what we do.  Doing will not get you to heaven!  We are only saved by faith, through grace – as we yield to God in repentance and acknowledgement of Christ’s Sovereignty.

However, those who are saved —- become followers.  There will be evidence of the change salvation does to one who is made brand new inside.  If there is no evidence — there was no saving done!  The Bible makes it very clear: If God did not change you, then God did not save you.  You are still lost, still a walking dead soul, condemned.

You must be born again, Jesus said.  What about you?  You can usually clearly spot the dead.  Are you walking dead, or have you been made alive in Christ?

FOR MORE: 

Getting Born Again

Following