John 15-15-17 Henceforth I call you not servants; for the servant knoweth not what his lord doeth: but I have called you friends; for all things 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 forth and bring fruit, and that your fruit should remain: that whatsoever of the father in my name, he may give it to you.
These things I command you, that ye love one another.
Imagine Jesus standing in front of you today speaking those words to you. You have just sincerely humbled yourself before your Lord and Saviour. Perhaps you knelt in supplication as many of us would. Or, thrown yourself prostrate on the ground before Him.
Suddenly you hear a strong but gentle voice filled with love telling you to rise and behold Him. He speaks to you with all authority and perfection and tells you that you are no longer a servant and that you are His friend. You tremble and are overwhelmed, yet Jesus holds out his hand and you take it and slowly rise to your feet. You look into the eyes of Jesus and He smiles and you understand. Everything. In the twinkling of an eye according to 1st Corinthians 15:52 you and believers everywhere are transformed. The dead in Christ rise, and you put on incorruptibility.
This is your eternal destiny in Christ. These are the words originally spoken to the apostles by Jesus and the description of the rapture by the apostle Paul. While the smallest details may vary from the words I have used to depict the events that will unfold, rest assured you can depend on the biblical account.
You whom Jesus died and bled for on Calvary will not be mere servants but friends of Jesus! In fact, you have already attained this status. What joy comes to mind at the news of this! He assures us he has shared with us what Our Heavenly Father has made known to Him. We are not left out of the picture! His command to love one another is firm and irresistible.
Today the words in these verses apply in the now. They tell us Jesus has chosen us. That He loves us, and we must love one another. There is no need to wait until the rapture of the saints. We are told to go forth and bring forth fruit that will remain. With the help of the Spirit we can do this if we ask for the Spirit’s help. That lost person who weighs heavily on your heart comes to mind. Perhaps it’s a family friend or neighbor. We are reminded by Jesus to ask our Heavenly Father for that person’s salvation in His name.
Nevertheless, when we meet Jesus face to face upon His return it will be the consummation of coming home that every believer in Christ hopes for. It will be incredible. I can only imagine the peace and joy it will bring. In essence, considering these verses I can only tremble in anticipation at seeing my Lord and Friend Jesus Christ.
-Brother Bill
Christ Talk 
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May Christ Abundantly Bless Your Good Works As You Write For His Glory!
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