In this mini-series of “Who am I” I’ve shared scripture reminding you that you are CHOSEN, VALUED, HIS, and LOVED. I pray that you will reread those passages from the Bible, and even seek to discover more in God’s word reiterating to you these truths.
Oh, but there’s more…
Today, relish in the comfort of knowing that if you have accepted Christ as your personal Savior, you are A FRIEND OF GOD and A CHILD OF GOD. If you are reading this and saying “I haven’t accepted Christ as my personal Savior”, then please read the bottom portion of this journal entry first. I can’t wait to call you my sister or brother in Christ!
A Friend of God
There is no greater love than to lay down one’s life for one’s friends. You are my friends if you do what I command. I no longer call you slaves, because a master doesn’t confide in his slaves. Now you are my friends, since I have told you everything the Father told me. John 15:13-15 NLT
Without Christ, we are in our natural state and are slaves to sin. (Click here to read how you are a slave to sin.)
With Christ, He calls you FRIEND. I love the way The Passion translation puts it in verse 15, “I call you my most intimate and cherished friends.”
And what about the words “You are my friends IF…” sounds like the childish saying, “I’ll be your friend if…”. But, think about this, all Jesus is asking you to do is love others. In the verses before and after 13-15, they are saturated with the words “remain in my love” and “love each other”.
Jesus did lay down His life for you. Love Him and seek His ways first, and your love for others will overflow.
How can you “lay down your life” for another? Like my study bible says, “We may not have to die for someone, but here are other ways to practice sacrificial love: giving, listening, encouraging, helping, etc.” I challenge you to give and go beyond…that’s what Jesus would do. Execute some of these sacrificial love actions, but not just for someone that it is easy to love, yet to the one(s) who may be the most difficult to embrace or accept. That’s taking it beyond.
Having Christ as your Best Friend IS the best!
“Abraham believed God and was set right with God,” includes his action. It’s that weave of believing and acting that got Abraham named “God’s friend.” James 2:23 MSG
Earlier I mentioned that you are a friend when you accept Christ as your personal Savior. Back in Abe’s days, he had to believe and have faith in God. The scripture tells us that it was because of his belief in faith in God that the Lord called Abraham FRIEND. I can call you friend all day long, but if you desire for the Lord to call you friend, put your trust in Jesus Christ. Believe in Him.
A Child of God
See what great love the Father has lavished on us, that we should be called children of God! And that is what we are! The reason the world does not know us is that it did not know Him. 1 John 3:1 NIV
Consider yourself lavished on. Y’all, God has heaped a whole bunch of love on you. In order to receive this heaping, we must place our trust in Jesus Christ. He desires for you to live and love extravagantly.
But to as many as did receive and welcome Him, He gave the right [the authority, the privilege] to become children of God, that is, to those who believe in (adhere to, trust in, and rely on) His name— John 1:12 AMP
Okay, so you want to be called a child of God, then believe in Him. Here’s some guidance as to how to receive this free and extravagant gift:
“Each of you must repent of your sins and turn to God, and be baptized in the name of Jesus Christ for the forgiveness of your sins. Then you will receive the gift of the Holy Spirit. This promise is to you, to your children, and to those far away —all who have been called by the Lord our God.” Acts 2:38-39 NLT
Click here for the “Most Important Message”
Click here to see more on “How to become a Christian”
I pray that you will pray this simple prayer:
Dear God, I know that You love me. I confess my sin and need of salvation. I believe that Jesus died on the cross for my sins and arose from the grave. I turn away from my sin and place my faith in Jesus as my Savior and Lord. I want to follow you with my life. Amen.
When I reread this entry it reminded me of an infomercial… “Oh, but there’s more” and “how to receive this free gift”. Yet, there IS more! I have more adjectives to share with you as to who you are in Christ. Stay tune.
Blessings to you and yours,
Stephanie
*While scanning through my photos, this one reminds me of a big kid. My sweet friends own Pelicans in Plant City, my hometown, so here’s a little advertisement for them and a kid-feeling pic of me in their oversized chair.
