(J.R. Miller, “The Friendships of Jesus” 1897) LISTEN to audio! Download audio
“Greater love has no one than this, that he lay down his life for his friends. You are My friends–if you do what I command. . . . I have called you friends.” John 15:13-15
The central fact in every true Christian life, is a personal friendship with Jesus. Men were called . . .
to follow Him,
and to leave all and cleave to Him,
to believe on Him,
trust Him,
to love Him,
obey Him;
and the result was the transformation of their lives into His own beauty! That which alone makes one a Christian, is being a friend of Jesus.
Friendship transforms—
we become like those with whom we live in close, intimate relations.
Life flows into life,
heart and heart are knit together,
spirits blend, and
the two friends become one.
We have but little to give to Christ; yet it is a comfort to know that our friendship really is precious to Him, and gives Him joy–poor and meager though its best may be. But He has infinite blessings to give to us. The friendship of Jesus includes all other blessings for time and for eternity! If Christ is our friend, all of life is made rich and beautiful to us.
“I have called you friends.” No other gift He gives to us can equal in value, the love and friendship of His heart. …
No good man’s money is ever worth as much as his love. Certainly the greatest honor of this earth, greater than rank or station or wealth–is the friendship of Jesus Christ.
…The friendships of Jesus, whose stories we read in the New Testament, are only patterns of friendships into which we may now enter–if we are ready to consecrate our life to Him in faithfulness and love.
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