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

One of the most profound statements in scripture concerning Abraham is that he is called “the Friend of God.”  (Isaiah 41:8, 2 Chronicles 20:7).  In Gen. 12:1,  God revealed Himself to Abraham, a former worshipper of idols, and his life and destiny was radically transformed.  He would never be the same again (2 Cor. 5:17).  From that point on, In the midst of a totally pagan culture, he chose to follow God.   That does not mean that he followed God perfectly.  He didn’t. He stumbled a few times along the way (Gen. 12: 10-13).   But he never stopped following.  Whenever he failed, he would get back up and continue to follow.  He never quit. 

The scripture tells us that he became God’s Friend when he chose to believe God!  He didn’t just believe in God.  Many people do that and are not changed.  No.  He chose to actually believe that God was exactly Who He said He was and as a result, Abraham totally committed himself into God’s hands!  In following God, Abraham became a worshipper of God.  Everywhere he settled, he built an altar unto the Lord and worshipped God (Gen. 12:7.).

To be God’s Friend is simple.  When God reveals Himself to us, (as He does in and through His Word) we must choose to follow.  Believing is more than merely acknowledging God or acknowledging truth.   It is committing our heart to Him and trusting Him with all that we are and all that we have.    To be God’s Friend means that we value and treasure the relationship.  We do not take it for granted.  To be God’s friend means that we take time to be with Him.  Being with Him is vitally important to us.  It is a priority to us.  To be God’s Friend means that we listen when He speaks.  We value what He says.  And to be God’s Friend means that we are willing to actually do what He asks us to do.  Why? Because we are God’s Friend!  The overall key to Abraham’s friendship with God was that he believed God.  He listened to God  He adjusted his life to God.  And he followed God.  The key to the entire relationship was that in all things and in all circumstances, Abraham trusted God (Gen. 22: 1-14).  What was true for Abraham is still true for us if we desire to truly be God’s Friend and not just an acquaintance.   

Rev. James W. Black