'I Have Called You Friends': John 15:15 (Love)

Read Galatians 5:22-23:

"But the fruit of the Spirit is love, joy, peace, patience, kindness, goodness, faithfulness, gentleness, self-control; against such things there is no law."

Are you ready to make an investment in the Fruit of Love?

Describe the closest friendship you have had in your life. What made this friendship stand out from other friendships?

Write your answer in the space provided.

How would you rate the level of intimacy you enjoyed with this person?

Read John 15:12-17:

"My command is this: Love each other as I have loved you. Greater love has no one than this: to lay down one’s life for one’s friends. 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. You did not choose me, but I chose you and appointed you so that you might go and bear fruit—fruit that will last—and so that whatever you ask in my name the Father will give you. This is my command: Love each other."

Select 'Successful when you are finished.

Go to 'DOCUMENTS' and read Oswald Chambers' observations on intimacy with Jesus Christ.

Select 'Successful' when you are finished.

Oswald states:

"True friendship is rare on earth. It means identifying with someone in thought, heart, and spirit. The whole experience of life is designed to enable us to enter into this closest relationship with Jesus Christ. We receive His blessings and know His Word, but do we really know Him?"

Compared to the friendship you described in Step 2, how would you rate your current level of intimacy with Jesus?

Do you agree that, as Christians, "the whole experience of life is designed to enable us to enter into this closest relationship with Jesus Christ'?

Oswald continues:

"It is a joy to Jesus when a disciple takes time to walk more intimately with Him."

How much joy do you believe you could bring to Jesus by taking the time to be closer to Him right now?

Pray

Take a moment to get quiet. When you are ready, ask Jesus what you can do to draw closer to Him right now as His beloved friend.

If you wish, you can write down what you receive in the space provided.

Regarding the areas where you have not treated Jesus as a beloved friend, is there anything you would like to repent of (express your sorrow)?

If so, you can do so privately or in the space provided.

Oswald adds:

"Once we get intimate with Jesus we are never lonely and we never lack for understanding or compassion. We can continually pour out our hearts to Him without being perceived as overly emotional or pitiful."

Take time now to pour yourself out to Jesus. Express yourself to Him just as you would with your best friend. Tell Him your current concerns, joys and, if applicable, sorrows.

If you wish, you can write in the space provided.

Now, ask Jesus, your Beloved Friend, if He would like to respond to you. If you like, you can write down what you hear in the space below.

Is there anything you would like to thank or praise the Lord for?

If so, you can do so privately or in the space provided.

Oswald states:

"The bearing of fruit is always shown in Scripture to be the visible result of an intimate relationship with Jesus Christ."

Compared to when you first started this Trail, how much closer is your friendship to Jesus now ?

How much has this Trail increased the Fruit of Love in your current disposition?