Part 2
James 2:23 KJV
[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.
I can’t read James 2:23 without the simple lyrics of “I Am a Friend of God, by Israel Houghton and Michael Gungor, playing in my mind. It’s the kind of lyric that can get stuck on replay in your mind for hours. Which in this case is probably not a bad thing, especially if we associate it with the scriptures the lyrics are based upon.
What does it really mean to be called a friend of God? Abraham was an impatient idolatrous man which repeatedly tried to get ahead of God’s timing. Despite his faults , he never gave up on God and the Almighty God encouraged Abraham to continue to learn His ways. Abram was placed in many precarious situations by worldly men such as the King of Sodom who offered him earthly riches. Yet God strengthened Abraham with spiritual food, a type of Passover meal from the priest of the most high God (Melchizedek).
Every time Abraham tried to get ahead of God’s timing, messengers from God helped him get back on track. Now It wasn’t always a good meal at the Olive Garden which kept Abraham on God’s side. Many times Abraham had to suffer the consequences of his impetuous acts, like the situation with Ishmael. Nevertheless, Abraham always turned back to God and eventually his faith in God became great enough to move mountains. (Read Genesis 22)
The Bible repeatedly tells us that the Almighty is a God of covenants. The covenant God made with Abraham is the foundation for friendship with God:
Genesis 17:1-7 KJV
[1] And when Abram was ninety years old and nine, the Lord appeared to Abram, and said unto him, I am the Almighty God; walk before me, and be thou perfect. [2] And I will make my covenant between me and thee, and will multiply thee exceedingly. [3] And Abram fell on his face: and God talked with him, saying, [4] As for me, behold, my covenant is with thee, and thou shalt be a father of many nations. [5] Neither shall thy name any more be called Abram, but thy name shall be Abraham; for a father of many nations have I made thee. [6] And I will make thee exceeding fruitful, and I will make nations of thee, and kings shall come out of thee. [7] And I will establish my covenant between me and thee and thy seed after thee in their generations for an everlasting covenant, to be a God unto thee, and to thy seed after thee.
Jesus and the New Testament writers expand upon this covenant theology and friendship with God. For instance, John records Jesus’ expansion upon Genesis 17 and in particular the last part of the first verse which says “walk before me, and be thou perfect.” (Also; see Matthew 5, plus the rest of Jesus “Sermon on the Mount” message.)
John 15:10-15 KJV
[10] If ye keep my commandments, ye shall abide in my love; even as I have kept my Father’s commandments, and abide in his love. [11] These things have I spoken unto you, that my joy might remain in you, and that your joy might be full. [12] This is my commandment, That ye love one another, as I have loved you. [13] Greater love hath no man than this, that a man lay down his life for his friends. [14] Ye are my friends, if ye do whatsoever I command you. [15] 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.
Did you hear Jesus’ instructions to the Twelve Apostles; “Ye are my friends, IF he do whatsoever I command you.” You see the Lord God is a Jealous God and a consuming fire! (Deuteronomy 4:23-24).
It is His way or you are not really “a friend of God.” We find a situation in John 6, which is actually a precursor to what Jesus is saying in John 15, in which a large number of Jesus’ so-called Disciples turn back and follow him no more. They turn away from Jesus, because they believe Jesus’ way to friendship with God is too hard to follow. True friendship with God is a straight and narrow way. In our next article we are going to continue to explore what it means to be a friend of God. In the meantime, ask yourself what kind of a “friend of God” you are.