I Am A Friend Of God!

James 2:23, “...Abraham believed God, and it was imputed unto him for righteousness: and he was called the Friend of God.”

Abraham put his faith and trust in the Lord God Jehovah. He trusted God enough to do as God directed in his life. The implication is that after Abraham considered all the facts regarding his relationship with God, he could follow God without any reservation or doubt. As he walked in obedience with God, his life was a testimony to the faithfulness of God. Therefore, “...he was called the Friend of God.” What did that mean for Abraham? It meant that God considered their relationship so intimate and important that He (God) was compelled by that relationship to reveal to His friend those events that might affect his life and God’s calling upon that life.

Gen. 18:17, “...And the LORD said, Shall I hide from Abraham that thing which I do; 18 Seeing that Abraham shall surely become a great and mighty nation, and all the nations of the earth shall be blessed in him? 19 For I know him, that he will command his children and his household after him, and they shall keep the way of the LORD, to do justice and judgment; that the LORD may bring upon Abraham that which he hath spoken of him.”

God’s expectation of Abraham was that he would obey the voice of God. Abraham would be the vessel through which the nation of Israel would become a great and mighty nation. All nations of the earth would be blessed through him. God knew that Abraham would require his house and lineage to “keep the way of the Lord, to do justice and judgment;” Therefore, Abraham needed to receive the information that would prepare him to make the correct choices and respond appropriately. So in verse 20, God warned him of His plan to destroy Sodom and Gomorrah because of their sin and wickedness. Abraham petitioned God for any righteous souls that might live there. Consequently, Lot and his family were warned. They left and were saved except for Lot’s wife who disobeyed and looked back at the destruction of the city and was turned into a pillar of salt.

How is any of this relevant to our lives today? As professed followers of Jesus Christ, we must have an intimate personal relationship with God. That it is said of us, we are a friend of God. That He is compelled by that relationship to reveal to us, His friends, those things that might affect our lives and His calling upon us.

Know God and then you will know His will. When we come to really know Him intimately, His nature becomes our nurture. He then is the driving force within us affecting every decision and move we make. Our lives have been so affected by our encounter with Him that we have been forever changed in our desires to BE like Him.

“...I am come that ye might have life and have it more abundantly...” John 10:10. We truly begin to live life to its fullest in Jesus Christ! I AM A FRIEND OF GOD! HE CALLS ME FRIEND!!!