No longer do I call you slaves, for the slave does not know what his master is doing; but I have called you friends, for all things that I have heard from My Father I have made known to you. - John 15:15
How you see yourself before God makes a big difference in how you live the Christian life.
So many Christians approach God with fear, guilt, and shame because they don't understand who they are in Christ.
If you see yourself as a slave, you'll practice blind obedience to please the master, but there's little relationship. Slaves just do as they are told. Slaves fear their master.
But if you see yourself as a friend of Christ, you'll want to spend time with Him. You'll know you are always welcome in His presence.
Your best friends know you better than anyone else. A friend knows your failures and fears, but still loves and welcomes you.
As a friend of God, even though He knows all your shortcomings, He still loves and welcomes you.
