What Kind of Friend Are You?

“‘Greater love has no one than this, than to lay down one’s life for his friends.’” (John 15:13 NKJV)

When considering one’s friendships and the priority thereof, this is a good place to start. Does this level of commitment exist in the relationship? For sure one would expect to be able to say this of a spouse, but what about others? When this standard is considered, the value of many surface relationships can be put into proper perspective.

When taken in context, this verse is couched in an entire teaching regarding love – the Father’s love for Him, his love for us and our love for one another. It has even more meaning to believers than the basic relational statement.

Most notably, Jesus follows verse 13 by saying, “‘You are My friends if you do whatever I command you. No longer do I call you servants, for a servant does not know what his master is doing; but I have called you friends, for all things that I heard from My Father I have made known to you.’” (John 15:14-15 NKJV) Imagine that – the Son of the Living God did not consider His followers (and by extension us) as servants but as friends!

He closed the passage out with the simple instruction, “‘These things I command you, that you love one another.’” (John 15:17 NKJV) Self-sacrificial love is not just a good idea, it is what is expected, even commanded by our Savior.

That love will result in us being willing to give our lives for one another, as well as for those outside the faith to whom we are sent as messengers. “By this we know love, because He laid down His life for us. And we also ought to lay down our lives for the brethren.” (I John 3:16 NKJV)

Challenge issued. Challenge accepted?

Related verses

“‘As the Father loved Me, I also have loved you; abide in My love. If you keep My commandments, you will abide in My love, just as I have kept My Father’s commandments and abide in His love.

“‘These things I have spoken to you, that My joy may remain in you, and that your joy may be full. This is My commandment, that you love one another as I have loved you. Greater love has no one than this, than to lay down one’s life for his friends. You are My friends if you do whatever I command you. No longer do I call you servants, for a servant does not know what his master is doing; but I have called you friends, for all things that I heard from My Father I have made known to you. You did not choose Me, but I chose you and appointed you that you should go and bear fruit, and that your fruit should remain, that whatever you ask the Father in My name He may give you. These things I command you, that you love one another.’” (John 15:9-17 NKJV)

“And walk in love, as Christ also has loved us and given Himself for us, an offering and a sacrifice to God for a sweet-smelling aroma.” (Ephesians 5:2 NKJV)