Friends with the Boss

No longer do I call you servants, for a servant does not know what his master is doing; but I have called you friends, for all things that I heard from My Father I have made known to you.–John 15:15

Once upon a time, a jokester posted this sign at his workplace: “The beatings will continue until morale improves.”

Whether a leader is a small business owner overseeing a few workers or a president of a large corporation with hundreds of individuals on the payroll, a leader is responsible for motivating his or her employees to complete a goal. The manner in which a “boss” interacts with his or her staff determines the effectiveness of any organization, whether the workforce consists of volunteers or highly paid executives.

Physical “beatings” are not an appropriate means of inspiration, but, unfortunately, many supervisors intentionally intimidate their employees verbally, mentally, and emotionally. As a result, an organization is saturated with fear, mistrust, and resentment.
A leader must know the right way to motivate the right people at the right time in order to get the right results.

Conversely, exemplary and productive employees will complete the tasks they are assigned effectively. Jerry Clower once said, “The key to being a good employee is to find out who the boss is and, then, do what the boss says!”

During the time of Christ, slavery was common. Slaves or “servants” were treated as property and were not given any rights. A servant’s master or “lord” was in complete control. Harsh consequences were served to any servant who was not cooperative.

While at times Paul used the term “slave” to indicate his submission to Christ, he consistently trumpeted the joy of being a slave for Jesus in comparison with the emptiness of being enslaved in sin.

In John 15:15, Jesus underscored he did not view his followers as hired servants or slaves. Jesus said, “I have called you friends.” For Jesus, he considered his followers “friends,” because he had communicated with them on an intimate level. Jesus had shared His heart with them. Since he was the Son of God, he had actually shared the heart of God with them. They knew why he had been sent to earth. While they did not understand all of the far reaching implications, He had shared with his friends that he would have to die. Even more puzzling to his disciples, Jesus told them he was come back to life after he died.

After the death, burial, and resurrection of Jesus, the disciples were empowered with the Holy Spirit and this little band of men spread the Gospel throughout the world in relatively “warp speed.” Why? Well, their friend Jesus had told them what was going to happen. When they saw him post-crucifixion, post-death, they knew they had a true friend. Also, they were compelled to let people know that they could be a friend of God, too.

Consequently, God should not be seen as a boss just waiting to fire you in grand “Donald Trumpian” style. He certainly is the boss, but always remember he’s on your side. Jesus is your friend. He did not, and is not, hiding the truth from you. He loves you.

A Friend of God

You are my friends if you do whatever I command you.—John 15:14

We all have different types of friends. Realistically, many folks we consider friends are just acquaintances. They know our name and we know theirs. On another level, some folks are considered friends based on past associations. I have “college friends” to whom I have not spoken for several years. Other “friends” garner that distinction because they live near us or attend church with us. However, most of these folks are not true friends.

Being a true friend requires some sacrifice. I have heard many men say, “A true friend is a guy who will help you move.” For me, based on that test, I don’t have too many friends. Just ask someone to meet you at your house this Saturday morning to help you load a washing machine or a sofa bed onto a truck. Then, you’ll know how much they like you—you’ll know if they are your friend.

Richard Foster has said, “The desperate need for today is not for a greater number of intelligent people, or gifted people, but for deep people.”

Jesus wants us to go deeper. He challenges us to stop relating to people as business acquaintances or neighbors that we only give an occasional wave, as we drive by their houses or pass them in the hall. True friends do not just talk about popular movies or temperature changes. He commanded “love one another as I have loved you (John 15:12).”

Continuing, Jesus gave us a standard for relating to one another. He said, “Greater love has no one than this, than to lay down one’s life for his friends (John 15:13).” Talk about deep. Jesus expressed that the highest act of love is to die for another—just as He did for the ones he loved. O.K. We can only conclude friendship is not for “sissies.”

We may not ever have to die for someone, but, to be friends, we are going to have to sacrifice something. Listening, encouraging, forgiving, supporting, waiting, and helping are ways we love others—ways we are deeply friends.

This depth of relating to one another is commanded, not suggested, by Christ. He followed his words with, “You are my friends if you do what I command you (John 15:14).”

Please hear this deep down in your soul. Ready? There is no obedience without sacrifice.

You can’t meet God’s ideal for relationships with others—including your spouse, your children, your co-workers, your enemies—without giving up something. Casual Christians and “I’ll-do-it-if-I-feel-like-it” people are not friends of God. To produce the fruit of love in our lives we must be willing to get dirty. I once heard someone say, "Ministry is messy." If you are really helping someone, you may get soiled, hurt, or even cursed, but this means you are loving people just like Jesus would.

Are you a friend of God? Are you a true friend? How deep are you?

In Ephesians 3:18, it is recorded that Paul prayed that the Ephesians would comprehend “the breadth, and length, and depth, and height” of Jesus’ love. That is my prayer for you today.