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. 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. (John 15:15-16)
Jesus changed our status in the kingdom from servants to friends. He explained the difference between the two, saying that a servant doesn’t understand or even care what his lord is doing. He only does what is asked to check off the box, confirming the completion of the assignment. Jesus wants more for us than that. He wants us involved in what He is doing in His kingdom.
God has chosen us to be part of His plan and His will. We are called to be friends of God and to bring forth fruit. That means, as a part of our friendship with God, we are called to show the world tangible displays of our obedience to God and His favor, blessings, and power through our lives.
John 15:15-16 does not say that we no longer serve Jesus. We still serve the Lord, but we do so with the mindset of knowing that we are accomplishing things working with and through Him for kingdom purposes. We are helping God by being co-laborers together with Him in His divine plan.
Practical Application
When you pray, don’t just pray with a list of things to ask God for or even a list of Scriptures to declare in faith. Take the time to talk to God as a friend. Ask God what He thinks. Tell God what is happening in your life and involve Him in your daily decisions. You are not simply a servant called to get things done. You are a friend of God and He wants to have a relationship with you.