Right Relationship with Others

You did not choose me, but I chose you and appointed you so that you might go and bear fruit—fruit that will last—and so that whatever you ask in my name the Father will give you. This is my command: Love each other.

     -- John 15 : 16 - 17

We have talked a lot this week about what it means to be friends with Jesus. We've talked about how Jesus is already in that intimate space, whether we realize it or not. We've talked about how Jesus is not anxious about us - how he already knows the worst and best parts of us, and that sharing those things with him actually only increases our intimacy with him. Now one of the wonderful things about being friends like this with Jesus is that it equips us to be better friends with others. As Chris said on Sunday, "Right relationship with God can create right relationship with others."

Think about the people in your levels of relationship right now. In particular, who are the people in those two most inner circles? Are you trusting them and are they trusting you with vulnerability and honest? What about the folks in the outer two circles? Are there people you are keeping in those outer circles who you would like to see move inward? Consider how your friendship with Jesus might teach you how to have deeper friendships with other humans in your life.