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I. INQUIRE INTO THIS CHARACTER OF THE FRIENDS OF CHRIST.

1. The friends of Christ are doers of His commands. They are all His servants (Luke 6:46). Christ is their Lord and Lawgiver, and they do His commandments (Revelation 22:14).

(1) Their lusts are not their domineering lords, to whom they yield themselves to obey (Romans 6:18, 14; Galatians 5:24).

(2) The course of the world is not their rule (Ephesians 2:2).

(3) But as they look for salvation by Him, it is the business of their life, to please, serve, and glorify Him, to walk worthy of the Lord, unto all pleasing (Colossians 1:10). There are two works seriously plied by all Christ's friends.

(a) salvation work, that they may be saved from sin and wrath, and set beyond hazard of eternal ruin. This is done by faith.

(b) Their generation work (Acts 13:36; 1 Peter 2:9). This is done by obedience. In the former they look for their own safety, and in the latter for the honour of their Saviour.

2. The friends of Christ are doers of His commands, because they are His commands (Colossians 3:17).

(1) Out of respect to His authority (Psalm 119:4; Hebrews 11:8).

(2) Out of love to Him (Hebrews 6:10).

(3) As sons redeemed by His blood, not as bondservants working for their own redemption; to please their Benefactor, not to render themselves accepted by their own obedience (Romans 8:15; Colossians 1:10).

(4) With heart and good-will (Ephesians 6:7; Isaiah 64:5).

3. The friends of Christ are doers of His commands universally and without exception (Psalm 119:6). They are universal —

(1) In their desire to do all His commands, saying, as (Psalm 119:5).

(2) In respect of their endeavour (Philippians 13, 14).

(3) In respect of their willingness to know all that Christ commands, that they may do it (Psalm 139:23). The reasons why Christ's friends are universal in their obedience, are —

(a)  Because the grace of God inclines them to do what Christ commands, because He commands it (Psalm 119:4). The law of Christ is a chain of many links, and he that truly draws one to Him, draws all.

(b)  Because the whole law is written on their hearts in regeneration, and not scraps of it here and there (Hebrews 8:10).

(c)  Because Christ hath the chief room in their hearts beyond all competitors (Luke 14:26).

(d)  Because He is jealous, and the least command of His that is slighted is displeasing to Him (Matthew 5:19).

(e)  Because their hearts are reconciled to the whole law, and every part of it (Psalm 119:128).

II. WHY THIS IS MADE THE TRYING AND DISTINGUISHING CHARACTER OF THE FRIENDS OF CHRIST.

1. Because this hits the point in which the sincere and hypocrites differ.

2. Because the reality of friendship to Christ does without controversy appear here. "Show your faith by your works. Love not in word only but in deed."

3. Because where Christ's friendship to a person takes effect, it certainly has this effect (Ephesians 5:25, 26; Titus 2:14).

4. Because though the free grace of God tends to holiness (Titus 2:11, 12), yet there is a disposition in the children of men to turn it to licentiousness (Jude 1:4). Therefore the apostle cautions the Galations (Galatians 5:13).

III. USES.

1. Of information. This shows us —

(1) What the life of a Christian is. It is a life of doing whatsoever Christ commands. And so it is —

(a)  An active not an idle life (Philippians 2:12; Revelation 14:13).

(b)  A well doing life (1 Timothy 1:5).

(c)  A watchful life (1 Corinthians 16:13).

(d)  A resolute life (Ephesians 6:15).

(2) The doctrine of free grace gives no encouragement to looseness of life: for there is no separating of faith and holiness. If ye be Christ's friends by faith, ye will be His faithful and tender servants in obedience.

2. Of exhortation. Show yourselves Christ's friends by doing whatsoever He commands you. And do ye what Christ commands you, if you would show yourselves His friends.

(1) In a time of general apostasy and blacksliding from the ways of God (Genesis 6:9).

(2) Even when it must be your temporal loss (Hebrews 11:85).

(3) When His hand is lying heavy on you by crosses and afflictions (Job 1:9, 10).

(4) When sin comes with a seen advantage in its hand, as in the case of Moses (Hebrews 11:24-26).

(5) When the sin that most easily besets you comes in competition with your obedience to the commands of Christ (Psalm 18:23).

(6) When there is nothing to keep you back from sin, but pure regard to the command of Christ.

IV. MOTIVES.

1. Because all His commands are those of an absolute Lord, to whom we owe obedience in all things (Exodus 20:2).

2. All His commands are just, righteous, and reasonable (Psalm 119:128).

3. We are all of us under covenant engagements to do whatsoever He commands us. We have all avouched Him for our Lord (Luke 6:46).

4. Christ has been the best friend ever mankind had (John 15:13; Romans 5:8)

5. It is necessary to evidence your sincerity (Psalm 119:6).

6. The glorious privilege of those who do whatsoever Christ commands them.

(T. Boston, D. D.)

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KJV: Ye are my friends, if ye do whatsoever I command you.

WEB: You are my friends, if you do whatever I command you.