November 29, 1998, Sunday

Would a friend try to control another friend or would he

serve the other person? Are there those that would make

light or make fun of ideas like that? Would you like to

be assured that you are without fault among your friends?

Paul explained to his friends that God had called them to be

free from permitting their physical senses to control them---

"As for you, my friends, you were called to be free;

But do not let this freedom become an excuse for letting

your physical desires control you. Instead, let love make

you serve one another" (Gal 5:13). One serves another

because he is a friend, not because he is a servant.

Jude reminded his friends that some would make fun of

those who preached restraint and bridle of their physical

desires--"But remember, my friends, what you were

told in the past by the apostles of our Lord Jesus Christ.

They said to you, "When the last days come, people will

appear who will make fun of you, people who follow their

own godless desires. These are the people who cause

divisions, who are controlled by their physical desires,

who do not have the Spirit. But you, my friends, keep on

building yourselves up on your most sacred faith. Pray

in the power of the Holy Spirit" (Jud 1:17).

Paul explained that the payment made for the sin of mankind

by Jesus was made to remove our blame and be to friends with

God. "But now, by means of the physical death of His Son,

God has made you His friends, in order to bring you, holy

pure, and without blame, into His presence (Col 1:22). He

will accept you today as His friend, call on Him.

Let us remember who is our Best Friend. God's name is

Jehová Adonai. He is the God who accepts us as we are

without any modifications. He can only change us to a new

creature if we come as we are, but Praise God, He receives

us. Lift your hands to your Best Friend. Praise Him and thank

Him for all the blessings of His acceptance and friendship.