The highest calling of the Christian life is not merely to work for God, but to walk with Him.— Brother Lawrence
It is possible to serve God without loving Him, but it is impossible to love Him without serving Him.— Hudson Taylor
There are moments in Scripture where Jesus says something so personal that it reshapes the entire way we understand our relationship with God. John 15 is one of those moments.
On the night before the cross, Jesus speaks to His disciples about abiding, fruitfulness, obedience, and love. Then, in the middle of that conversation, He says something astonishing: “I have called you friends.” This is more than comforting language. It is an invitation into the heart of God.
The word translated friends is the Greek philos, meaning a beloved companion, one brought near in affection, trust, and closeness. It speaks of relational intimacy, not distant association. Jesus is not merely saying, “You are useful to Me.” He is saying, “You are welcomed near Me. You are trusted with what is in My heart.”
This becomes even clearer when contrasted with the word Jesus uses for servants, the Greek doulos. A doulos was a servant or bondservant, someone under the authority of a master. Scripture often uses this word positively. Paul repeatedly called himself a servant of Christ. So Jesus is not rejecting servanthood. Rather, He is revealing that life with Him was never meant to remain at the level of task execution alone.
Servants carry instructions. Friends are brought into counsel.
Jesus says, “A servant does not know what his master is doing.” The issue is not activity, but intimacy. Servants may obey commands without understanding the larger purpose. Friends are entrusted with revelation and understanding.
This is why Jesus continues by saying that He has made known to His disciples everything He heard from the Father. The phrase made known comes from the Greek gnōrizō, meaning to reveal, disclose, or cause someone to understand. Friendship with God involves shared revelation. Jesus does not merely assign work. He reveals the Father’s heart behind the work.
This pattern appears throughout Scripture. “He made known His ways to Moses, His acts to the children of Israel” (Psalm 103:7). Israel witnessed God’s miracles and deliverance, but Moses was brought into deeper understanding and communion. Friendship with God moves beyond seeing what He does into knowing His heart and ways.
Abraham was called the friend of God because he trusted God deeply enough to follow Him beyond what was visible. God even brought Abraham into His counsel before the judgment of Sodom, asking, “Shall I hide from Abraham what I am doing?” Friendship with God involves partnership with His purposes. Abraham was not merely informed. He was invited into intercession because friendship causes us to care about what God cares about.
Enoch gives us another picture of friendship with God (Genesis 5:21–24). Scripture says he “walked with God,” language that points to continual companionship and steady fellowship. His life shows us that friendship with God is not built merely on dramatic moments or public assignments, but on consistent communion over time.
David reveals another dimension of friendship with God: responsiveness. He loved God’s Word, delighted in worship, and carried unusual revelation concerning God’s kingdom and the coming Messiah. Yet one of the clearest evidences of his intimacy with God appeared after failure.
When confronted over his sin with Bathsheba, David did not protect his image or justify himself. Instead he cried:
What makes this sobering is that these people had visible works. They prophesied, cast out demons, and performed mighty acts. Yet Jesus points to a deeper issue: relational distance. The word knew here speaks of experiential and personal relationship. This reveals an important truth. Ministry activity is not the same as intimacy with Christ. A person may appear spiritually productive while remaining relationally distant from God.
Friendship with God cannot be replaced by gifting, visibility, or outward success.
This is why Jesus connects friendship with obedience: “You are My friends if you do whatever I command you.” Obedience is not an attempt to earn friendship. It is the expression of trust within friendship. Friends of God take His words seriously because they love Him and trust His heart. Intimacy does not produce independence from God. It produces deeper surrender to Him.
Daniel’s life reflects this beautifully. Though not explicitly called a friend of God, he lived like one. He was called “greatly beloved,” received insight into mysteries and kingdoms, and carried wisdom that influenced rulers and nations. His intimacy with God produced discernment, courage, and clarity in difficult environments.
Job also gives us a remarkable picture of the fruit of friendship with God. He spoke of a season when the “friendly counsel” of God rested over his household. Yet that intimacy did not isolate him from society. It made him a source of justice, wisdom, compassion, and protection for others. Friendship with God overflowed into practical impact.
And this brings the entire journey of dwelling together.
We have learned to come near to God, abide in Christ, and engage His Word. We have seen that His Word sanctifies, heals, restores, guides, transforms, and makes fruitful. We have discovered gifts, calling, and divine appointment. But beneath all these things is the deeper desire of God Himself.
God is not merely forming productive servants. He is drawing beloved friends into fellowship with Him.
The disciples themselves prove this invitation is open to ordinary people. They were not flawless men. They struggled with fear, misunderstanding, pride, and weakness. Yet they remained with Jesus. They believed His words, followed His voice, asked questions, and learned to trust Him. Friendship with God was formed through abiding.
The same invitation stands before us today. As we continue to dwell in God’s presence and remain in His living Word, we are drawn into deeper intimacy with Him. His Word shapes our hearts, His Spirit reveals His ways, and His life begins to flow through ours.
Over time, we become people who not only work for God, but walk with Him. People who know His heart. People who carry His love into the world. And through lives rooted in friendship with God, the Father’s glory is revealed.
Father, thank You for drawing me near through Christ and inviting me into friendship with You. Teach me to walk closely with You, love Your Word, obey Your voice, and remain sensitive to Your Spirit. Let my life reflect Your heart, Your love, and Your glory to the world. Amen.