John 15:15-17
¹⁵Henceforth I call you not servants(doulos) ; for the servant knoweth not what his lord doeth: but I have called you friends(philos) ; for all things that I have heard of my Father I have made known unto you.¹⁶Ye 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. ¹⁷These things I command you, that ye love one another.
The Lord Jesus is not seeking subserviency (grk-doulos-servant) but friends, the friendship in question is grk-philos-fond that is friendly. It is common for some to say You cannot be a friend of God because of say, familiarity, the argument is well understood and appears correct. It will be argued that they that believe so lack higher levels of revelation.
John 13:23
Now there was leaning on Jesus’ bosom one of his disciples, whom Jesus loved.
The word Loved-Grk agapaō-unconditional love, (John 21:7)
In our opening text in the 17th verse we are commanded to Love(Agapeo)- to share unconditional Love for each other, we have received unconditional Love and we are to extend the same to others especially those of our fold (Galatians 6:10). Unconditional Love does, gives, it is not emotional-it does not manifest based on feelings but obedience to knowledge of Gods word, therefore it believes in the one it is extended to, it does not have carnal eyes and thus will always hope as it endures forever, it breeds eternal life. Agapeo love is a safe place in the Lord.
John 3:16
For God so loved the world, that he gave his only begotten Son, that whosoever believeth in him should not perish, but have everlasting life.
John 21:15-18
¹⁵So when they had dined, Jesus saith to Simon Peter, Simon, son of Jonas, lovest thou me more than these? He saith unto him, Yea, Lord; thou knowest that I love thee. He saith unto him, Feed my lambs. ¹⁶He saith to him again the second time, Simon, son of Jonas, lovest thou me? He saith unto him, Yea, Lord; thou knowest that I love thee. He saith unto him, Feed my sheep. ¹⁷He saith unto him the third time, Simon, son of Jonas, lovest thou me? Peter was grieved because he said unto him the third time, Lovest thou me? And he said unto him, Lord, thou knowest all things; thou knowest that I love thee. Jesus saith unto him, Feed my sheep. ¹⁸Verily, verily, I say unto thee, When thou wast young, thou girdedst thyself, and walkedst whither thou wouldest: but when thou shalt be old, thou shalt stretch forth thy hands, and another shall gird thee, and carry thee whither thou wouldest not
Jesus addresses Peter by His original name, seemingly showing that he had forfeited the name Peter that was given to him the Lord. Peter is asked if he loves Jesus unconditionally(Agapeo) and more than the rest, Peter responded that he loved(Phileo) Jesus with brotherly love. His sincerity is called into question and He could not lay hold onto loving the Lord unconditionally or unquestionably, not even more than any other!!
The torments of present memory of darkened knowing that he denied Jesus was prevalent. Peters’ confidence was gone but the only thing to hold onto was Jesus’ Agapeo-unconditional love.
Twice Jesus asked, do You (Agapeo) love me unconditionally, Peter could only hold onto (Phileo) brotherly love, on the third occasion, Jesus asks, do You (Phileo) love me with brotherly love!?, with grief/heavy burden acknowledged that the Lord knew all things, and he knew that Peter loved Him.
Where was the zeal that said:
-I cannot deny you yet sounded like Gods own,
-I will die with you,
-the one that rebuked Jesus saying you cannot die,
-the one that cut off Malchus’ ear,
Psalms 105:19 NLT
Until the time came to fulfill his word, the Lord tested Joseph’s character.
All memory of sin, past, present, even pardoned sins, triggers torments but by grace we are free of all failure, many unnecessarily carry a seered conscience because they have rejected grace/the word of truth.
Job 38:1-2
¹Then the LORD answered Job out of the whirlwind, and said,²Who is this that darkeneth counsel by words without knowledge?
Take God at His word, only God knows what was, is and will be.
Prophetic Utterance:
Godly sorrow brings change/repentance, I will hold onto You my Lord and Saviour Loving(Agapeo) your people.
I will feed Your lambs, I will feeds your sheep, I will do Your Will for You have girded me and taken away my shame, You are alone are my beautifier.
I am the the Lord Loves.
Guiding text:
Job 37:19
Teach us what we shall say unto him; for we cannot order our speech by reason of darkness.
Galatians 6:9-10
⁹And let us not be weary in well doing: for in due season we shall reap, if we faint not. ¹⁰As we have therefore opportunity, let us do good unto all men, especially unto them who are of the household of faith.
John 1:17
For the law was given by Moses, but grace and truth came by Jesus Christ.