1. Tedelmipro
   Member

   Hi everyone,

   Recently, I have been wondering about a question, and I would like your input on the subject. In John 15:15, Jesus said that He no longer called His disciples servants but friends because a master would not confide in his servants. However, Paul referred to himself and others as servants of Christ e.g. Rom 1:1. Now, are we servants of Christ or are we friends of Christ? Are we both His servants and His friends? Or do we start of as servants and later get "promoted" to friends? Are we servants with a friendly attitude or are we friends with a servant attitude? Are there any other possibilities that explain these passages? Please, share your thoughts. God bless.

   Stephen

   Posted 2 years ago #

2. Roger Souden
   Member

   Hi Stephen - my initial thought is that in verse 15, Jesus was teaching not just a truth, but a future event, His death - and so verses 12-17 need to be read in context:

   Joh 15:12 This is my commandment, That ye love one another, as I have loved you.
   Joh 15:13 Greater love hath no man than this, that a man lay down his life for his friends.
   Joh 15:14 Ye are my friends, if ye do whatsoever I command you.
   Joh 15:15 Henceforth I call you not servants; for the servant knoweth not what his lord doeth: but I have called you friends; for all things that I have heard of my Father I have made known unto you.
   Joh 15:16 Ye have not chosen me, but I have chosen you, and ordained you, that ye should go and bring forth fruit, and that your fruit should remain: that whatsoever ye shall ask of the Father in my name, he may give it you.
   Joh 15:17 These things I command you, that ye love one another.

   Certainly in verse 15, they are friends as He is sharing 'everything' with them.

   I also note that in verse 20, Jesus refers to servant again, and with reference to His disciples..

   Its a good question, as I type this I believe that we are both servants and friends.. ..and maybe its a similar relationship to the one we have where we are both 'brothers and sisters' of Jesus, but also His children. :-)

   I shall be interested in others thoughts..?

   Roger

   Posted 2 years ago #

3. harvestisripe
   Member

   Wow! Great question - I too look forward to discussion here concerning this - Good imput Roger.

   What makes us a ture servant of Christ - what makes us worthy to be his friend - I want to be both.
   God Bless, Lynn

   Posted 2 years ago #

4. Tedelmipro
   Member

   Roger, I see what you mean with respect to verse 20. Jesus pretty much called them His slaves after just referring to them as His friends earlier. That definitely sheds some light on the subject. Looking at it in context also helped. The disciples were once servants, but something happened that changed their status. They were still servants, but when Jesus revealed things to them, He considered them His friends. In other words, according to Jesus' definition, friends are servants whom He has given a revelation of what is on His heart and what He is doing. This is how I'm now seeing this subject. Further comments are very much welcome. God bless.

   Stephen

   Posted 2 years ago #

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