James 2:23 NKJV – 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.
Have you ever heard it said that Abraham was a friend of God because of his obedience?
If you have heard this before like I have many times, I’ve always felt less than when someone has shared this verse or preached this. Typically the person who’s preaching views themselves as a friend of God like Abraham, and if we could somehow be obedient enough we might be able to achieve a title and position like they and Abraham have.
So it begs the question:
- Are you a true friend of God?
- How good is your obedience to the Lord?
- Are you obedient enough to be called a friend of God?
- How do you measure up?
- How much obedience is needed in order to achieve this special position?
- Have you done enough good works in order to earn this?
Feast your eyes on this:
Romans 5:10 NLT – For since our friendship with God was restored by the death of His Son while we were still His enemies, we will certainly be saved through the life of His Son. 11 So now we can rejoice in our wonderful new relationship with God because our Lord Jesus Christ has made us friends of God.
Every believer, from the weakest to the strongest, is a friend of God. Not based on our works to earn and achieve, but based on what Jesus has done for us to restore the peace with God. Since there is harmony with God because of Jesus’ blood sacrifice, we have received the special title of “Friend of God” as an undeserved free gift. We are apart of God’s inner circle of friends simply because of our faith in Him, not our works. Praise the Lord!
Luke 7:34 NKJV – The Son of Man has come eating and drinking, and you say, ‘Look, a glutton and a winebibber, a friend of tax collectors and sinners!’
Someone might respond with saying, “Well, I guess I’m allowed to sin as much as I want since I’m a friend of God without works.”
To which I would say:
- Romans 6:1 NKJV – What shall we say then? Shall we continue in sin that grace may abound? 2 Certainly not! How shall we who died to sin live any longer in it?
We pursue holiness at all costs and at all times!
But if we sin:
- 1 John 2:1 NKJV – My little children, these things I write to you, so that you may not sin. And if anyone sins, we have an Advocate with the Father, Jesus Christ the Righteous.
It’s not our obedience that justifies us, it’s Jesus’ obedience that justifies us.
It’s not our holiness that justifies us, it’s Jesus’ holiness that justifies us.
Romans 5:19 NKJV – For as by one man’s disobedience many were made sinners, so also by One Man’s obedience many will be made righteous.
Philippians 2:8 NKJV – And being found in appearance as a man, He humbled Himself and became obedient to the point of death, even the death of the cross.