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Servants AND Friends of God

Servants AND Friends of God

Have you ever read the amazing book Servants or Friends? by A. Graham Maxwell? If you haven’t, I highly recommend it.

I remember reading it several decades ago, and it made a profound impact on my understanding of God, opening my mind to new ideas and concepts that have helped me to know Him more fully and grow in understanding of His designs and methods.

Those who follow our ministry know that I consistently contrast the difference between human imposed laws, made-up rules that require inflicted punishments—the legal way of seeing things—with God’s design laws, the protocols the Creator built reality to operate upon, like the laws of health, physics, and the moral laws.

What struck me recently is that while Graham never used the specific language of imposed law versus design law, he did contrast the same two laws in his book and teachings when he spoke of the difference between servants and friends. In a presentation entitled Legal Problems Among Friends, Graham stated, “Servants are governed by the law on the wall. Friends are governed by the law in their hearts and in their minds” (minute 28:52).

Graham described the servant as the one who doesn’t understand the master’s business yet who does what the master says—and he obeys merely to not get in trouble. He is the one who not only doesn’t understand the master, he doesn’t even care to. He just wants to be obedient, follow the dos and don’ts, and avoid getting into legal trouble. This is the imposed-law mindset. “What are the rules? What am I required to do? What does the master demand?”

Whereas the friend is the one who enters into understanding cooperation with the master. The friend also obeys, but he does so from a sense of agreement, loyalty, devotion, love, and trust for and in the master. This is design law—understanding how and why things work the way they do and intelligently cooperating because we agree and prefer the methods and ways of the master.

I can’t think of anyone who has contrasted the role of a servant with that of a friend better than Graham. It is an excellent contrast between the human imposed-law way of seeing things and God’s design-law way of seeing things.

But what struck me recently is that the servant’s understanding is the way of the world, how fallen humanity thinks, the way of the imposed law, rule over by power methods of the kingdoms of this world—and it doesn’t represent God’s true servants. One cannot be a true and faithful servant of God, one cannot complete the mission for our heavenly master or fulfill His calling, unless they are actually His friend! In other words, all of God’s trustworthy servants are trustworthy only because they have actually become His friends. These people actually know God (John 17:3) and, therefore, know His character, design-law methods, and principles and have been won into loyal friendship with Him and, thus, can say of Him what is right (Job 42:7). This is only possible when they have rejected the imposed-law lies and embraced the truth of God’s design laws such that they have stopped worshiping a creature and returned to worshiping the Creator.

In Scripture, God’s true servants are also called His prophets:

Surely the Sovereign LORD does nothing without revealing his plan to his servants the prophets (Amos 3:7 NIV84, emphasis mine; see also 1 Kings 14:18; 2 Kings 9:7, 17:23, 21:10; Ezra 9:11; Jeremiah 7:25, 25:4, 26:5, 29:19, 35:15; Ezekiel 38:17; Daniel 9:10; Zechariah 1:6).

God’s trustworthy prophets are not limited to those who foretell the future, as Daniel and John did. Rather, they are God’s spokespersons, the ones who are God’s friends, the ones who know God personally and can say of Him what is right; they are the ones who go to the people with a message from God, a message that only a friend could rightly deliver.

Perhaps the most famous and powerful example of such a servant, prophet, and spokesperson for God, one who was actually God’s friend, is Moses:

The LORD would speak to Moses face to face, as a man speaks with his friend (Exodus 33:11 NIV84).

And Moses was repeatedly called God’s servant:

When a prophet of the LORD is among you, I reveal myself to him in visions, I speak to him in dreams. But this is not true of my servant Moses; he is faithful in all my house. With him I speak face to face, clearly and not in riddles; he sees the form of the LORD. Why then were you not afraid to speak against my servant Moses? (Numbers 12:6–8 NIV84, emphasis mine).

Moses was a friend of God yet was called His servant because only a true friend can provide the service God wants—and that is the service of telling the truth about Him! True service is taking the message of God’s character of love to the people. This is the work God calls a special end-time group of His servants to fulfill for Him right before His second coming. (See my blog Who Are the 144,000?)

Some might stumble on this verse because God contrasts a “prophet” with His servant Moses, but this verse contrasts the difference between those who are actually God’s friends and those who are not. There are prophets who are God’s true servants, who tell the truth about Him, and are able to do so only because they are also His friends—prophets like Moses, the apostles, Isaiah, and others. But there are also prophets who are not His true servants, not His friends, who don’t really know Him, and yet God has still spoken through them, such people as Balaam and King Saul (Numbers 22; 1 Samuel 10:9–12). Only the trustworthy friends of God, who receive His seal in their forehead, can provide Him the service He truly desires—to reveal Him in His true glory, light, and character; thus, only His true friends are called His servants.

This is why Jesus will say to His faithful friends at the end of time, “Well done, you good and faithful servant!” (Matthew 25:21 GNT).

For like Job, they will have said of God what is right!

 

 

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Testimony 71

When I was 9 years old, I remember setting at our devotional table with a hunger and thirst for God that wanted more, deeper, BETTER. I can remember literally crying and pounding on the table, “I know these teachers didn’t mean to give us error. They taught what THEY had been TAUGHT, but didn’t ANYBODY READ THE BOOK?!?!?” It mattered to me then. It mattered to me as a teenager. It matters now as I teach bible classes. It didn’t have to be so hard as I watched so many give up and lay God’s great plan and gift of salvation aside as being “impossible.” Then, a friend sent me a link to Come And Reason’s website. I grew excited. YES! FINALLY! Then another friend told me to stay away, saying her son had just broken up with a girl because she was involved with Come And Reason and that “Tim Jennings preaches a false gospel.” But, AFTER many years of developing an authentic and, dare I say FUN relationship with Jesus, through the Holy Spirit I see this message has been around a LONG time, since the apostle Paul, Ellen White, Graham Maxwell, Ray Foucher, and yourself (though I admit, you’ve made me back up, rewind and replay the clips, and get out my well-worn Bible on a few things.) I’m so thankful I have found LIGHT during these DARK days. I am not alone.

Vicki DiNitto

Testimony 21

I am absolutly on fire with the message at Come and Reason! I can’t get enough! I’ve read your book, blog, and articles. I’ve listened to your Bible study podcasts, your radio show, and your series – all excellent! It wasn’t until the past couple of years that I have I like I’m becoming “healthy,” with more to share with others than just beasts and commandments! I used to be a Bible worker and preached when the pastors were gone until I had had enough. I didnt realize at the time what the problem was, but i know now… the message wasn’t properly focused. Now my flame is rekindled. All of your little examples are so perfect in explaining something “complicated” and making it easily understood! Now I’m trying to shape it into a life changing evangelistic series! Thank you!

M.T., USA

 

Testimony 7

Ok, so last night I listened to “The Law of Liberty” and “How to Achieve Victory: Freedom, Truth and Spirtual Warfare.” These are both MY ABSOLUTE FAVORITES so far! The logic is just soooooo beautiful. I had to re-listen to them a couple of times. I just want to EXPLODE! (<< we assume with joy and happiness)

N. B., Canada

 

Testimony 65

I have been tuning into your weekly study classes for a while now and wanted express my appreciation for the teachings that ha been a huge blessing in opening up the true message of the word. Viewing scripture under an imposed law theory always, without fail, raised more questions, concerns, and conflicting scripture interpretations that were discouraging at the very least. Looking at scripture through the design law lens has brought more truth to light for me personally and an understanding of our Heavenly Father that places Him “above all others,” where I am now more than thrilled to witness and serve Him.  I “stumbled” across this ministry a year or so ago and would only watch a few minutes at a time. But the more I listened and the longer I paid attention, the more my spiritual eyes were opened to the ever present truths of scripture. The comprehension of the great controversy and it’s origin by the lies perpetrated and perpetuated throughout the Bible on the attack of God’s character and government is truly priceless. Keep up the Good Work! Your servanthood is desperately needed in such a time as this!

Jeff D., Reading, MA, USA

 

Testimony 14

We really appreciate your views on the judgment and they make good sense considering our free choice.

Anonymous

 

Testimony 62

I would like to express my thanks to the C&R team for creating a platform from which people can learn to trust in God and grow. My life is a witness to the effectiveness of this ministry. Without believing the truth about God as you have shown, I don’t know what my life would be like. I had given up on God helping me with certain sins – it was all useless. Given that the scripture is clear and God is so good, how could I have betrayed him so many times? I was a yo-yo christian; spinning up and down. My faith and enthusiasm was driven by discoveries/threats that prophecy is about to be fulfilled. But when I watched your “Healing the Mind” seminar, it was like a light finally went on. I could see God had no plan to hurt me, the danger came from sin, and that He is working to protect me and strengthen me. Thank you for allowing God to use you. The message God gave C&R saved my life!

Antony N. – Hobart, Australia

 

Testimony 29

Thank you for all of your work to correct misconceptions about God’s character. So many people that my husband and I have talked to seem to be against the natural law construct and view it as “errant” and “dangerous.” Having learned more about it through your blogs and lessons, I don’t really understand why they view it that way, except that it means they have to relearn theology they have known for their entire lives. But I’m so excited to relearn this. For the past few years I have been questioning how I could trust a God who punishes arbitrarily and is full of wrath for those who don’t obey His commands. That view made me afraid to “mess up” or “not be good enough,” even within my relationship with God. I really appreciated the point you bring out about God not wanting us to serve Him because we are afraid, but because we love Him.

Melissa H., IN, USA

 

Testimony 46

Over the past couple of years God has been expanding my view of Himself and His character. Along my approximately 40-year journey, I have often had questions, but was hesitant to voice these and step outside the traditionally accepted thinking, for fear of admitting that I may in fact be eternally lost. In the recesses of my thinking has been the thought – if one blindly accepts (which is widely regarded as “real faith”) and does not question, is this really ‘truth?’ I often find it challenging to grapple with very theological ‘speak,’ but Dr. Jennings has a real gift of explaining spiritual concepts with clear practical examples. The weekly discussions are growing my Christian experience and slowly changing my view of how to live as a child of God in today’s complex world. Finally the whole Old Testament sanctuary teaching moved in my mind from fantasy to reality!

Beverly S., South Africa

 

Testimony 38

Since November 2015, when I started studying Gods word from this God Is Love point of view, my life has been transformed. My troubled marriage of 15 years has been healed and my husband and I are truly happy for the first time in 15 years. Now When I read the word of God I understand it so much better and I can’t help but see Gods love radiating through the pages to humanity. Gods word is living and active and I am blessed beyond measure to be having this amazing experience. God has given me a beautiful understanding of Jn 3:16 that amazes me more and more each day. Thank you again for your ministry.

Helen D., London, England

 

Testimony 8

Thank you for the ministry you are sharing with us, it is a real blessing to us and especially to my husband and myself! You are encouraging us to think for ourselves and not just to except everything, without thinking it through, with God’s word!

M.K., USA

 

Testimony 26

Your teachings about our heavenly Father have changed my life. Thank you sooooooo very very much! I know He’s doing some serious healing in my heart and life and I look forward to each new day to learn something new about Him and to just hear you speak about Him. Thank you, forever.

Nancy S.

 

Testimony 69

After reading your book, ‘Could It Be This Simple,’ someone was explaining Christianity in a way that made sense to me for the first time in my life. One morning, I simply prayed “I’m sorry and I love you.” As soon as I silently said that, I could literally feel God’s presence and light flood down on me from above and fill me up with love and joy. I sat there crying my eyes out, because I was so overpowered with this feeling of love and joy. It was just so incredible. I hope that more people can read this book and get a blessing from it. It’s really amazing.

Rachael H.

Testimony 50

After coming into contact with Come And Reason Ministries, I can finally say that many of my unanswered questions have fallen into place. I discovered that my view of God’s Law was “imposed laws and rules” with “imposed punishments” and that this was the major culprit of my many unanswered questions. Thanks be to God for using you and those around you to help us who have struggled with this “infection” of thought. I have now rejected the “imposed law” concept to fully embrace “Design Law”… to look thru “Design Law,” instead of “imposed law,” is a relief.

Viliami L., Australia

 

Testimony 4

I’m a youth leader in South Africa. We as a youth group are currently using a lot of the material on the Come and Reason site. Since we’ve started using the material, our youth group has grown.

R. V. N., South Africa

 

Testimony 52

Your unique way in spreading the truth is what we all need today. Most of us don’t recognize the contamination coming from all the lies and selfishness in the world. Because of our fear of death, we forgot how to live. Lies left and right. I was losing hope and faith, because of so many ideas that are always contradicting each other – so many questions answered by other, more complicated, questions – until I found your channel on YouTube.

You did not just give me answers, you also taught me how to answer new questions that arise in my mind. Now I see things differently. I see God’s mercy, grace, and Love everywhere, in spite of all the chaos that we all have done as humans. I don’t fear death anymore. Accepting the Truth and Love about God is truly a genuine Freedom from all the confusions, sufferings, selfishness, pain, and death.

I just wanted to say, thank you, sooooo much for revealing the real Remedy for our infected life. I have a new hope and now see the world in a different perspective!

Wheinny P., University Place, WA, USA