Intentional Friendship as an Expression of Christian Faith

On his last day with his disciples Jesus said:

"As my Father has loved me so have I also loved you. Abide in my love. If you keep my commandments you will abide in my love, just as I have kept my Father's commandments and abide in his love. These things I have spoken to you that my joy might remain in you, and that your joy may be full. This is my commandment that you love one another as I have loved you. Greater love has no man than this; than to lay down his life for his friends. You are my friends if you do whatever I command you. 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've heard from my Father have I made known to you. You did not choose me, but I chose you and appointed you that you should go and bear fruit and that your fruit should remain, that whatever you ask the Father in my name He may give it to you. These things I command you, that you love one another. "(John 15:9-17)

Many of us have been in “friendly” churches and not found any friends; why is this? Several times in the preceding paragraph Jesus commands us to love others. How can we love others if we're not even friendly to them? Five times Jesus uses the word “commandment”, emphasizing the imperative need to learn and live a lifestyle of love.

In our society, the word love has many meanings, but Jesus was referring to “agape” love, which is selfless, sacrificial, and unconditional. The kind of love that God demonstrated to the world by sending his son Jesus Christ. The kind of love that Jesus demonstrated by teaching, healing, and forgiving those with no ability to repay. It is an intentional virtuous love he wants us to first experience for ourselves, then learn to extend love to those around us. This is my commandment, that you love one another as I have loved you. Intentionally choose to think and do well to the people around you. Not because they necessarily deserve it, but because you are His disciple and following his example.