“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.” (John 15:15)

Jesus made an astonishing statement to His followers

He said He no longer calls us servants, but friends. A servant follows orders without knowing the bigger picture, but a friend is invited into the heart and plans of the Master. Jesus tells us that He has shared with us what the Father has shown Him — that’s not distant religion, that’s close relationship.

He also explained what real love looks like

The greatest kind of love is not words or feelings, but sacrifice — being willing to lay down one’s life for others. That’s exactly what Jesus did for us. He didn’t just call us friends; He proved it at the cross.

“Greater love has no one than this, that one lay down his life for his friends. ‘You are My friends if you do what I command you.’” (John 15:13 NKJV)

Then Jesus gave a new command: that we should love one another the same way He has loved us. This kind of love is meant to be the visible mark of a true follower of Christ. It’s how the world recognizes that we belong to Him.

“A new commandment I give to you, that you love one another, even as I have loved you, that you also love one another. ‘By this all men will know that you are My disciples, if you have love for one another.'” (John 14:34-35)

Therefore

Don’t think of yourself as merely a servant trying to please God from a distance. You are a friend of God — loved, trusted, and invited into relationship. Walk with Him, obey Him, and reflect His love to others, just as He has shown it to you.