“And the Scripture was fulfilled which says, ‘Abraham believed God, and it was accounted to him for righteousness.’ And he was called the friend of God.”
And he was called the friend of God
God calls Abraham the “friend of God” because decades after he believed, he was willing to offer Isaac on an altar. God especially loved Abraham because of this obedience. Abraham’s justification was evidenced by his willingness to offer Isaac. Obedience is evidence of faith.
The word “friend” means someone loved, dear, or friendly. A friend is someone who shares intimate concerns. It is different from associates who do not share those same things.
2 Chr. 20:7, “Are You not our God, who drove out the inhabitants of this land before Your people Israel, and gave it to the descendants of Abraham Your friend forever?”
Is 41:8, “But you, Israel, are My servant,
Jacob whom I have chosen,
The descendants of Abraham My friend.”
The point is that Abraham already became a believer when God called him “friend.” God declared Abraham His friend when he acted out his faith. Abraham did not count the cost. God counts us as friends when we act out our faith. God does not count us worthy of His friendship, but God glories in those who do not serve themselves but serve others.
PRINCIPLE:
Obedience is evidence of faith.
APPLICATION:
Jesus says that we are His friends if we do whatsoever He commands us. A friend of God is someone who walks with God. It is important what God thinks of us.
It is one thing to be a friend to God, but it is another for God to be a friend to us. Does God consider you, His friend? The fact that God will befriend us staggers the imagination.
John 15:14-15, “You are My friends if you do whatever I command you. 15 No longer do I call you servants, for a servant does not know what his master is doing; but I have called you friends, for all things that I heard from My Father I have made known to you.”
True friends please and trust each other. Jesus pleased His Father and never let Him down.
Jn 8:29, “And He who sent Me is with Me. The Father has not left Me alone, for I always do those things that please Him.”
