I realise that the "Purpose Driven Life" devotion book is designed to be read one chapter a day - however, if you are following the sequence with us, then please read day 11 and day 12 NOW and give prayerful relection to your learning from today, tomorrow. I say this because day 11 unnecessarily breaks the flow into day 12 and we run a great risk of wrongly interpreting the beautiful teaching Jesus gives on what it means to be a friend of God.
When we read day 11 and 12 together we can harmonise the central teaching - God indeed does want us to enter into a special relationship with him, but we do need to be clear about how we become friends with God.
First and foremost, Jesus tells us that we are HIS friends if we obey him. This is the starting point of our friendship. Our understanding of what he has done on the cross and our need to respond in obedience and surrender are crucial. It is not about works - it is about surrender the significance of the reminder today that we can be friends with God is that this friendship stems from obedience to God, and everything else flows from that.
Second, we continue the process of remaining friends with God by constant conversation with God. Rick Warren's reminder of the need to "Practice the presence of God" is a good and helpful one.
Third, we need to meditate on the word of God and apply it in our lives. It almost completes a circle - application leads to obedience.
Getting things clear and in order is important. Don't wait till tomorrow to start a friendship with God based on obedience - because without an attitude of surrender and a desire to be obedient in that surrender, friendship is not possible. Rick does remind us of what the writer of Psalm 25 wrote - "Friendship with God is reserved for those who reverence him" My renewed confession and surrender is crucial for my relationship with God - Jesus says it straight and clear. The second part of chapter 12 offers suggestions for cultivating this friendship with God, so enjoy the stimulation and encouragement.
Drew
ReplyDeleteI am mos t impressed with Chapter 11 and will be finishing with Chapter 12 tonight. The sheer love of God that comes from Ch11 cannot be stopped in mid stream. Thank you for pointing this out. David K
It is important to be as clear as we can be about the way God works. We do not know everything but we can grow in our knowledge of God as we read and interpret the scriptures.
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