Focus on the Word The Path to Friendship


clear that obedience to Christ is to be the mark of a Christian. But full understanding of Christ’s teaching about obedience


by Harvey Schultz


Te Apostle Paul oſten referred to himself as a “servant” of Christ (Rom. 1:1; Gal. 1:10; Phil. 1:1; Titus 1:1). Te Greek term he used was doulos. Tis word refers to one who was “bound” to an- other as a slave. James, Peter and Jude also describe their relation- ship with Christ with that term ( James 1:1; 2 Peter1:1; Jude 1). Tat doesn’t sound very appealing, does it? A slave! Someone


who is in subjection to another! Vine’s Expository Dictionary of New Testament Words soſtens


the meaning somewhat when it states that doulos was “the most common and general word for ‘servant,’ frequently indicating subjection without the idea of bondage.” It was sometimes used in a figurative sense to describe a relationship between two people by expressing the notion of personal subjection of one to another. Paul used doulos to describe his relationship to Christ indicat-


ing that he had “bound” himself to Christ. He considered himself obliged to obey Christ. But his was a willing, voluntary, subjec- tion. Christ didn’t force Paul to obey. Tat agrees fully with what Jesus practised and taught. He


invited people to follow him. Tey had a choice. In another place he stated: “Take my yoke upon you and learn from me, for I am gentle and humble in heart, and you will find rest for your souls for my yoke is easy and my burden is light” (Matt. 11:29-30 NIV; emphasis added). Furthermore, he taught his disciples to obey his commands


even as he obeyed the commands of his Father. His last instruc- tion to the Apostles was that they were to teach others “to obey everything I have commanded you” (Matt. 28:20). So, whether through the example or teaching of Christ and the Apostles, it is


is very interesting. Not only is obedience a willing, voluntary subjection, but it leads to another, deeper and very appealing relationship. He says in John 15:14,15: “You are my friends if you do what I command. I no longer call you servants, because a servant does not know his master’s business. Instead I have called you friends, for everything that I learned from my Father I have made known to you.” To me it would seem natural if he had said: “You are my slaves/


servants if you do what I command.” Tat’s what a slave does — he obeys his master. But instead Jesus said, “You are my friends if you do what I command.” Te word fiend had a special, political connotation in that


culture. In our culture it refers to someone we like and who is our close companion. In that culture it meant that, plus much more. A ruler’s friends were members of a special group of insiders. Tey knew what the ruler planned to do. Tey knew his political secrets. Tey were entrusted with special diplomatic missions. Tey received the plum positions in his administration. If ever you lost your status as a friend of the ruler, your political career was over. To force Pilate’s hand, the Jews cried out, “If you let this man go, you are no friend of Caesar” ( John 19:12). Upon that threat, Pilate capitulated to their demands. To paraphrase Jesus, “If you obey me, you are my friends” (see


John 15:14,15). Subjection and obedience are what one expects of a servant, not of a friend. Yet, Jesus declares that he will treat us as friends, not as servants. We will become one of those special insid- ers who receive advance notice of what Christ is planning to do. Tink of Abraham, the only person called a friend of God


( James 2:23). Before he destroyed Sodom and Gomorrah, the Lord revealed to Abraham what he was about to do (Genesis 18:17–19). Te Lord gave him special, insider information about his plan to destroy those wicked cities. Tat kind of relationship with the Lord is reserved for those


who have placed themselves in subjection to him and who willing- ly, voluntarily and habitually, submit to and obey his instructions. Am I a friend of Christ? Are you?


Fellowship Focus, May/June 2016


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