The Basis for Godly Relationships

Jesus encouraged His disciples, "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" (John 15:15). Think about this—if the God of glory shared His life with His friends, then who are we to refuse to do the same? When we share our lives, we can spur each other on in our walk with Christ. As we read in Scripture: "As iron sharpens iron, so one person sharpens another" (Proverbs 27:17).

We must base our godly relationships on this kind of love—a love that gives.

Jesus exhorted: "You did not choose me, but I chose you and appointed you so that you might go and bear fruit—fruit that will last—and so that whatever you ask in my name the Father will give you. This is my command: Love each other" (John 15:16-17). When Jesus called us friends, He chose us; He initiated the friendship. Here, He calls us to do the same, to follow His example by loving one another. And armed with this kind of companionship, we can bear fruit together for the glory of God and the growth of His Kingdom.

If the greatest commandments center around love, then what does this love look like? In 1 John 3:16 we read, "This is how we know what love is: Jesus Christ laid down his life for us. And we ought to lay down our lives for our brothers and sisters." Scripture also says, "Greater love has no one than this: to lay down one’s life for one’s friends" (John 15:13).

We must base our godly relationships on this kind of love—a love that gives.

Prayer: God, thank You for Your example of love. Help me to build my relationships on the love that You’ve shown me. I pray in the name of Jesus. Amen.

"Above all, love each other deeply, because love covers over a multitude of sins" (1 Peter 4:8).

Learn more in Dr. Michael Youssef’s sermon series Godly Friendships: LISTEN NOW

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