THE FRIEND OF GOD

 

THE FRIEND OF GOD

James 2:23 And the scripture was fulfilled which saith, Abraham believed God, and it was imputed unto him for righteousness: and he was called the Friend of God.

Pastor Rick Jackson

 

The idea that one can be a friend of God is one that fascinates me. There may be some people we would consider it to be a privilege and an honor to be their friend. But then, to think of being “the friend of God.” Mind blown. There are a few people the Bible calls God’s friend. A few more that are implied to be God’s friend like in Exodus 33:11 where the Bible says, “And the LORD spake unto Moses face to face, as a man speaketh unto his friend.” But with Abraham there is no implication. The Bible is clear, we have, first of all,

 

I. THE CREDENTIALS OF GOD’S FRIEND [Genesis 12:3]

And I will bless them that bless thee, and curse him that curseth thee: and in thee shall all families of the earth be blessed.

1. The Land [2 Chr. 20:7]

Art not thou our God, who didst drive out the inhabitants of this land before thy people Israel, and gavest it to the seed of Abraham thy friend for ever?

 

2. The People [Isa. 41:8]

But thou, Israel, art my servant, Jacob whom I have chosen, the seed of Abraham my friend.

 

3. The Book [James 2:23, Rm. 3:1-4]

-And the scripture was fulfilled which saith, Abraham believed God, and it was imputed unto him for righteousness: and he was called the Friend of God.

-What advantage then hath the Jew? or what profit is there of circumcision? Much every way: chiefly, because that unto them were committed the oracles of God. For what if some did not believe ? shall their unbelief make the faith of God without effect? God forbid : yea, let God be true, but every man a liar; as it is written, That thou mightest be justified in thy sayings, and mightest overcome when thou art judged.

II. THE CHARACTERISTICS OF GOD’S FRIEND [Gen. 18]

1. Abraham Received Him [Gn. 18:1-8, Heb. 11:17-19]

By faith Abraham, when he was tried, offered up Isaac: and he that had received the promises offered up his only begotten son. Of whom it was said, That in Isaac shall thy seed be called: Accounting that God was able to raise him up, even from the dead; from whence also he received him in a figure.

2. Abraham Rejoiced over Him [Jn. 8:37-40, 56-59]

3. Abraham Repeatedly Chose Him [Gen. 18:17-19]

 

III. THE COLLECTION OF GOD’S FRIENDS

 

1. Believe Him for Imputed Salvation [James 2:23]

And the scripture was fulfilled which saith , Abraham believed God, and it was imputed unto him for righteousness: and he was called the Friend of God.

 

2. Obey Him for Intensified Service [John 15:13-15]

Greater love hath no man than this, that a man lay down his life for his friends. Ye are my friends, if ye do whatsoever I command you. Henceforth I call you not servants; for the servant knoweth not what his lord doeth: but I have called you friends; for all things that I have heard of my Father I have made known unto you.

 

3. Choose Him for Identifying Sanctification

[Jm. 4:3-4, Jn. 19:12]

-And the scripture was fulfilled which saith, Abraham believed God, and it was imputed unto him for righteousness: and he was called the Friend of God. Ye adulterers and adulteresses, know ye not that the friendship of the world is enmity with God? whosoever therefore will be a friend of the world is the enemy of God.

And from thenceforth Pilate sought to release him: but the Jews cried out, saying, If thou let this man go, thou art not Caesar's friend: whosoever maketh himself a king speaketh against Caesar.