Does Jesus call you "friend"?

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Crossfire

Guest
#1
#1
"The one who says that he abides in him (Christ) must live the same way he himself lived." - 1 John 2:6

Just because you may have met someone and talk to them on occasion doesn't mean you really know them. While you may be somewhat acquainted them, it doesn't mean you are actually friends.

A lot of professing Christians today seem to think that just because they've read / studied Jesus' biography and can recite a couple of His teachings that they actually know Him. The truth is they are no better off than a teenage girl with a crush on the latest pop music teen heart throb. Sure she may know a lot about him from reading up on him and may be able to sing all of his songs by heart, but that does not mean that she can just waltz backstage at a concert and strut into his dressing room as if she was a family member.

While the Bible itself may be considered our "ticket" to the concert, it is not a backstage pass nor does it give us access to Jesus' "dressing room". You can only gain access to the intimate places through authentic faith, a faith which inspires humility, prayer and repentance.

Scripture teaches us that we can tell true Christians from the counterfeit because the authentic have spent so much time in the presence of God that His nature literally becomes their own. Then and only then does Jesus call you "friend".
 
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Crossfire

Guest
#2
#2
This came to me as I was attempting to minister to a coworker who professes to be a satanist. He says he has no desire to be saved because he does not want to become just another Christian hypocrite who says one thing but lives another. (It just so happen that my niece is also a huge Justin Beiber fan).

Unfortunately, during my attempts to evangelize the lost, it seems as though I find myself doing more and more damage control because of bad behavior of those professing Christ. For a long time I used to defend "imperfect Christians" however, as I've gotten to know such "Christians", it's become pain-stakingly clear that such people have no desire to become intimate with Jesus thus indicating that their hearts have not been regenerated.
 
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Bookends

Bookends

Senior Member
#3
Aug 28, 2012
4,225
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#3
Luke 6:37 "Do not judge, and you will not be judged. Do not condemn, and you will not be condemned. Forgive, and you will be forgiven.

Matthew 5:7 Blessed are the merciful, for they will be shown mercy.

Matthew 18:32 "Then the master called the servant in. 'You wicked servant,' he said, 'I canceled all that debt of yours because you begged me to.

James 3:17 But the wisdom that comes from heaven is first of all pure; then peace-loving, considerate, submissive, full of mercy and good fruit, impartial and sincere.

Micah 7:18
[SUP]18 [/SUP]Who is a God like You,
Pardoning iniquity
And passing over the transgression of the remnant of His heritage?


He does not retain His anger forever,
Because He delights in mercy.

1 Samuel 16:7
But the LORD said to Samuel, "Do not look at his appearance or at the height of his stature, because I have rejected him; for God sees not as man sees, for man looks at the outward appearance, but the LORD looks at the heart."

Luke 16:15 He said to them, "You are the ones who justify yourselves in the eyes of men, but God knows your hearts. What is highly valued among men is detestable in God's sight.

Matthew 7:1-2 7 “Judge not, that you be not judged. [SUP]2 [/SUP]For with what judgment you judge, you will be judged; and with the measure you use, it will be measured back to you.

1 Corinthians 4:1-5
Let a man so consider us, as servants of Christ and stewards of the mysteries of God. [SUP]2 [/SUP]Moreover it is required in stewards that one be found faithful. [SUP]3 [/SUP]But with me it is a very small thing that I should be judged by you or by a human court.[SUP][/SUP] In fact, I do not even judge myself. [SUP]4 [/SUP]For I know of nothing against myself, yet I am not justified by this; but He who judges me is the Lord. [SUP]5 [/SUP]Therefore judge nothing before the time, until the Lord comes, who will both bring to light the hidden things of darkness and reveal the counsels of the hearts. Then each one’s praise will come from God.

John 8:7
[SUP]7 [/SUP]So when they continued asking Him, He raised Himself up[SUP][/SUP] and said to them, “He who is without sin among you, let him throw a stone at her first.”

Matthew 5:22
[SUP]22 [/SUP]But I say to you that everyone who continues to be [SUP][/SUP]angry with his brother or harbors malice (enmity of heart) against him shall be [SUP][/SUP]liable to and unable to escape the punishment imposed by the court; and whoever speaks contemptuously and insultingly to his brother shall be [SUP][/SUP]liable to and unable to escape the punishment imposed by the Sanhedrin, and whoever says, You [SUP][/SUP]cursed fool! [You empty-headed idiot!] shall be [SUP][/SUP]liable to and unable to escape the hell (Gehenna) of fire.

etc. etc. etc. etc.
 
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mark54

Banned
#4
Jan 11, 2013
2,256
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#4
I used to defend "imperfect Christians" however, as I've gotten to know such "Christians", it's become pain-stakingly clear that such people have no desire to become intimate with Jesus thus indicating that their hearts have not been regenerated.

In the flesh I have never met any Christian who has professed to be anything other than an 'imperfect Christian.'
 
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Abiding

Guest
#5
#5
mark54 said:
I used to defend "imperfect Christians" however, as I've gotten to know such "Christians", it's become pain-stakingly clear that such people have no desire to become intimate with Jesus thus indicating that their hearts have not been regenerated.

In the flesh I have never met any Christian who has professed to be anything other than an 'imperfect Christian.'
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Theres a verse that talks about a sword coming between people. Im sure oftimes thats
the deal. The Holyspirit can cut through the other stuff. Besides tares will do the job of tares
and thats how it is.
 
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Kefa52

Guest
#6
#6
Abide in me, and I in you, As the branch cannot bear fruit of itself
accept it abide in the vine....without me ye can do nothing!

I consider Jesus alot more than my friend. "Nothing"= not even a heart beat.
 
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crossnote

crossnote

Senior Member
#7
Nov 24, 2012
30,708
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#7
Didn't Jesus call Judas 'friend' as he was betraying the Lord? Hmmm.
 
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Kefa52

Guest
#8
#8
crossnote said:
Didn't Jesus call Judas 'friend' as he was betraying the Lord? Hmmm.
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Do you even understand your own signature?...who saved us and called us to a holy calling, not because of our works but because of his own purpose and grace, which he gave us in Christ Jesus before the ages began, Love your enemies and all that stuff.
 
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Kefa52

Guest
#9
#9
"God opposes the proud but gives grace to the humble." (James 5:5) That's it. The person who possesses the Christian Life that really lives, receives grace from God through Jesus Christ. And this person does so through humility.


 
Stephen63

Stephen63

Banned
#11
Aug 15, 2009
9,745
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#11
I understand your dilemma, Crossfire. Many pastors are leaving the field of ministry because they are burned out trying both to save the world and to keep those in the church saved. They might as well put a revolving door in the front of the church. Not only so, but those that remain have little desire to grow in the faith. They want their worship, they want their praise, and then a very short sermon.
Then, there are those who think it's their job to run the church (kind of like some of those who like to run the forums). They have leadership mentality, but that's where it ends. They don't have the ability to use their knowledge to benefit the body of Christ. They don't have compassion for the lost. They don't have long-suffering for the babes. They pretty much enjoy telling everybody how wrong they are. Then they try to figure out what's wrong with the pastor, because by then his nerves are pretty much shot. Few know what it's like to be called into a ministry of preaching and teaching and have a whole congregation generally speaking that doesn't want to listen. No wonder most preachers want to be evangelists. They can just preach their sermon and leave.
 
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Abiding

Guest
#12
#12
Stephen63 said:
I understand your dilemma, Crossfire. Many pastors are leaving the field of ministry because they are burned out trying both to save the world and to keep those in the church saved. They might as well put a revolving door in the front of the church. Not only so, but those that remain have little desire to grow in the faith. They want their worship, they want their praise, and then a very short sermon.
Then, there are those who think it's their job to run the church (kind of like some of those who like to run the forums). They have leadership mentality, but that's where it ends. They don't have the ability to use their knowledge to benefit the body of Christ. They don't have compassion for the lost. They don't have long-suffering for the babes. They pretty much enjoy telling everybody how wrong they are. Then they try to figure out what's wrong with the pastor, because by then his nerves are pretty much shot. Few know what it's like to be called into a ministry of preaching and teaching and have a whole congregation generally speaking that doesn't want to listen. No wonder most preachers want to be evangelists. They can just preach their sermon and leave.
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work on this.
 
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Ariel82

Guest
#13
#13
Stephen63 said:
I understand your dilemma, Crossfire. Many pastors are leaving the field of ministry because they are burned out trying both to save the world and to keep those in the church saved.
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that's why they get burnt out. THEY are trying to save the world and keep the church saved when GOD has already sent JESUS to save their world and His Holy Spirit to keep His children saved.

people can point out the flaws found in others and some of it can be wrong, but I meet a pastor who really made a difference in my life and whenever I wanted to ask about the sins of others, he would tell me that to leave that to God and that person. He was more concerned about how I was walking in the commandments of God and if I need help understanding various scriptures and doctrines. I think I was a very difficult person to disciple but I thank God for the people God has placed in my life to teach me of His truth and show me what it means to be a child of God and walk with His Holy Spirit.

so I remember how much of a mess I was and how far I have come with God's help and how far I still need to go towards His upward calling, that when someone points out others sins, i can just say "God's still working on them and I don't know His plan but if you are truly concerned about that person, let us pray for them together now." Then we can move pass that stronghold defense into what is truly warring against the knowledge of Christ and the wisdom He tries and teaches us.

I have learnt to look at others sins is a defense mechanism and avoidance tactic to avoiding looking at oneself. sometimes I used it as a test to see if the person I was talking to would be compassionate or mean spirited and bitter. it told me if I could trust the other person to not be judgemental of my own personal issues or caused me to close up and build more defenses against whatever the person had to say.

Sometimes Satan uses people to bully God's children so that they are conditioned to react negatively to a few key phrases or actions by another, even if the other person didn't mean to hurt them. You can study cases of child abuse and how certain things triggers panic attacks even though for people who have never been abused there is no problem. the Enemy sometimes spiritually abuses people and plants wolves among the flock to intimidate and scare people away from God and church.

Jesus talks about such people:

Matthew 23
[SUP]13 [/SUP]“But woe to you, scribes and Pharisees, hypocrites! For you shut up the kingdom of heaven against men; for you neither go in yourselves, nor do you allow those who are entering to go in.

Paul mentions them too


2 Corinthians 11:13-15

New King James Version (NKJV)

[SUP]13 [/SUP]For such are false apostles, deceitful workers, transforming themselves into apostles of Christ. [SUP]14 [/SUP]And no wonder! For Satan himself transforms himself into an angel of light. [SUP]15 [/SUP]Therefore it is no great thing if his ministers also transform themselves into ministers of righteousness, whose end will be according to their works.

so I would not defend those who sin, I would pray for them for God told us to bless our enemies and not curse them.
 
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HEIsRiSen

Senior Member
#14
Feb 4, 2013
487
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#14
[SUP]
[/SUP]

[SUP]John 15:14-16 (KJV)

[SUP]14 [/SUP]Ye are my friends, if ye do whatsoever I command you.
[SUP]15 [/SUP]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.
[SUP]16 [/SUP]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.


[/SUP]
 
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Ariel82

Guest
#15
#15
HEIsRiSen said:
[SUP]
[/SUP]

[SUP]John 15:14-16 (KJV)

[SUP]14 [/SUP]Ye are my friends, if ye do whatsoever I command you.
[SUP]15 [/SUP]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.
[SUP]16 [/SUP]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.


[/SUP]
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in that case I'm more God's servant than friend because I don't know what God is doing right now or why most days. I trust in His plan but can anyone say they know the plans of God?

anyway the question should not be "Does Jesus call you friend" because Jesus called Judas friend

but really "Does your spirit cry out with the Holy Spirit, ABBA Father?" Are you God's child?

[h=3]Galatians 4[/h]New King James Version (NKJV)

4 Now I say that the heir, as long as he is a child, does not differ at all from a slave, though he is master of all, [SUP]2 [/SUP]but is under guardians and stewards until the time appointed by the father. [SUP]3 [/SUP]Even so we, when we were children, were in bondage under the elements of the world. [SUP]4 [/SUP]But when the fullness of the time had come, God sent forth His Son, born[SUP][a][/SUP] of a woman, born under the law, [SUP]5 [/SUP]to redeem those who were under the law, that we might receive the adoption as sons.

[SUP]6 [/SUP]And because you are sons, God has sent forth the Spirit of His Son into your hearts, crying out, “Abba, Father!” [SUP]7 [/SUP]Therefore you are no longer a slave but a son, and if a son, then an heir of[SUP][b][/SUP] God through Christ
 
crossnote

crossnote

Senior Member
#16
Nov 24, 2012
30,708
3,650
113
#16
Kefa52 said:
Do you even understand your own signature?...who saved us and called us to a holy calling, not because of our works but because of his own purpose and grace, which he gave us in Christ Jesus before the ages began, Love your enemies and all that stuff.
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whaaaat? What does Jesus calling Judas friend have to do with my signature?

Do you think Judas was saved? Or whaaaat?
 
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Ariel82

Guest
#17
#17
crossnote and crossfire your screen names look too much alike. i had to do a double take to realize you were two different posters. could perhaps be a case of mistaken identity?
 
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HEIsRiSen

Senior Member
#18
Feb 4, 2013
487
11
0
#18
crossnote said:
whaaaat? What does Jesus calling Judas friend have to do with my signature?

Do you think Judas was saved? Or whaaaat?
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That is not for us to say, who are we to judge who has been saved? Judas repented but he could not undo what had been done because it is what God willed.

Matthew 27
[SUP]3 [/SUP]Then Judas, which had betrayed him, when he saw that he was condemned, repented himself, and brought again the thirty pieces of silver to the chief priests and elders,
[SUP]4 [/SUP]Saying, I have sinned in that I have betrayed the innocent blood. And they said, What is that to us? see thou to that.

[SUP]5 [/SUP]And he cast down the pieces of silver in the temple, and departed, and went and hanged himself.
 
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Kefa52

Guest
#19
#19
crossnote said:
whaaaat? What does Jesus calling Judas friend have to do with my signature?

Do you think Judas was saved? Or whaaaat?
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It is not for me to judge whether Judas was saved. It is up to me to treat a Judas with compassion.
 
crossnote

crossnote

Senior Member
#20
Nov 24, 2012
30,708
3,650
113
#20
Kefa52 said:
It is not for me to judge whether Judas was saved. It is up to me to treat a Judas with compassion.
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what about the first part of my question about my signature?
 
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