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ye do whatsoever I command you". In the past, He had called His disciples servants but
now he calls them His friends as He has made known the will of the Father to them. The
disciples had not chosen Jesus Christ but He had chosen them and ordained them, that
they might be fruitful.
In Ephesians, we also read that Christ chose us but there is no reference to our being
called friends. Eph. 5: 30 says we are members of His body. Eph. 1: 22, 23 says that
Christ is the Head of the church which is His body. As members of the church which is
His body, we have a closer relationship than being friends. We are united with Him and
with one another. So we can rejoice in the richness of His grace, for we do not deserve
such blessings. Yet we have such a wonderful hope, that defies description. We can only
bow our heads in prayer and thanksgiving.
But we must revert to a consideration of friendship with others in this present life. All
friends are not true and reliable friends. Some people will only remain friends while they
benefit from the relationship. They may be attracted to those who have material and
plentiful goods which a generous man may be willing to share.
"Wealth maketh many friends; but the poor is separated from his neighbour"
(Proverbs 19: 4).
"The poor is hated even of his own neighbour: but the rich hath many friends"
(Proverbs 14: 20).
"He that despiseth his neighbour sinneth": but he that hath mercy on the poor, happy
is he" (Prov. 14: 21).
The story of the Prodigal Son in Luke 15: is an example. He had plenty of friends
while his money lasted but then he began to be in want. Where were his friends then?
There is also the danger that a friendship may be endangered by gossip or the
spreading of rumours:
". . . . . a whisperer separateth chief friends" (Prov. 16: 28).
". . . . . but he that repeateth a matter separateth very friends" (Prov. 17: 9).
Even a friend may betray one who has trusted him and the following verse reminds us
of the betrayal of our Lord.
"Yea, mine own familiar friend, in whom I trusted, which did eat of my bread, hath
lifted up his heel against me" (Psa. 41: 9).
So we find many warnings in the Scriptures about those who are supposed to be
friends. Many of us may have had some experience which would enable us to say that all
friends are not reliable. It is when we have suffered some loss, when we have faced some
kind of crisis, or been in need of help, that we discover who our real friends are. In such
times, we may have pleasant surprises, although also there may be unpleasant
discoveries. But if we are in need, we remember Paul wrote in Phil. 4: 19 ". . . . . But
my God shall supply all your need according to His riches in glory by Christ Jesus".
A friend loveth at all times. Our Lord Jesus Christ never ceases to love us.