May 12, 2003 Monday
Friends With Christ

"Ye are my friends, if ye do whatsoever I command you." - John 15:14

We know far too well, in our sin stricken nature, that genuine, heart-felt obedience to God is impossible apart from His divine grace manifested through us. Even as born again Christians we often struggle in obeying our Lord's commands and His Words bring us to tears of shame when we hear Him say, "If ye love me, keep my commandments." (John 14:15) We often have the desire to love Him, but we feel as if we have forgotten how, and then we hear Him speaking these words to our heart, "I have somewhat against thee, because thou hast left thy first love." (Revelation 2:4) Remember that when our fellowship with God becomes broken and dry that it is never God's fault....."It is of the LORD'S mercies that we are not consumed, because his compassions fail not. They are new every morning: great is thy faithfulness." (Lam 3:22, 23) He has never forgotten what He has done for us, yet we are quick to set aside His grace as just another luxury in life. "Ye have seen what I did.....how I bare you on eagles' wings, and brought you unto myself." (Exodus 19:4) He brings us to Himself and we still fill our souls with everything but His presence. Jeremiah said in Lamentations 3:24, "The LORD is my portion, saith my soul". Are you Christ's friend? Is He truly the portion of your soul?