He even says that if we remain in him and his word remains in us, we can ask whatever we want and he will grant it. But then notice what he says in verse 15:
I no longer call you slaves, because a master doesn’t confide in his slaves. Now you are my friends, since I have told you everything the Father told me. (John 15:15)
Once again, Jesus differentiates between role and relationship.
Slave was a role. Friend was a relationship.
And what was the evidence that the disciples were his friends? Because “I have told you everything the Father told me.” In other words, Jesus made a direct connection between depth of relationship and the ability to hear his voice. Why? Because again …
Relationship, not role, is the context for hearing and obeying the voice of God.
You can’t expect your kids to speak to you if you haven’t cultivated a relationship with them. The same is true with God. You can’t expect to hear direction from God if you haven’t cultivated connection with God. Now back up two verses, and let’s put “relationship” into context.
There is no greater love than to lay down one’s life for one’s friends. You are my friends if you do what I command. (John 15:13-14)
So follow the train of thought: Jesus calls you his friend; as a friend, you get to hear his voice; when you hear his voice, your response should be obedience. Hearing God always requires an obedient response to God. In fact, why else would we want God to speak to us?
- Why would you want God to speak words of direction to you if you’re not willing to obey them?
- Why would you want God to speak words of wisdom to you if you’re not willing to heed the wisdom?
- Why would you want God to speak words of comfort to you if you’re not willing to receive them?
- Why would you want God to speak words of courage to you if you’re not willing to act on them?
The reason we respond with obedience to the voice of God is because of our relationship as a friend to God, not because of our role as a slave or hired hand to God. It’s LOVE that opens the door to hear God, because love is at the center of our relationship with Him. And it’s LOVE that drives us to obey God because of how much we value our relationship with Him. Once again:
Relationship, not role, is the context for hearing and obeying the voice of God.
So that that raises a question: Are you in a relationship with God? And if the answer is yes, then are you cultivating your relationship with God?
If so, Jesus indicates that you are in an environment where you can hear God. Sound spooky? It’s really not. Is it hard? For most of us it is. But perhaps we make it harder than it should be.
After all, relationships are all about communication. Be still … and listen.
