Friend of God

What does it mean to be a friend of God?

We sing about it: “I am a friend of God; I am a friend of God; I am a friend of God; He calls me friend.” [lyrics by Israel Houghton and Cindy Cruse Ratcliffe].

We quote it: “And Abraham believed God, and it was reckoned unto him for righteousness; and he was called the friend of God.” – James 2.23

But the question on my mind this morning is this: Do we really understand what it means to be a friend of God? The Bible says that “friendship with God is reserved for those who reverence him. With them alone he shares the secrets of his promises.” (Psalm 25:14); and that “friendship with this world makes you an enemy of God? I say it again, that if your aim is to enjoy this world, you can't be a friend of God.” (James 4:4)

The term "friend" is an intimate term and conveys a sense of closeness, trust, and sharing. There is mutual agreement, loyalty, dependability, and the ability to confide. Pointing to Abraham’s life, we see that Abraham was in agreement with God. He believed God and he obeyed God. But let’s not miss this very important point, it was God, the great, almighty, every-present and all-powerful, all-knowing God who called Abraham the “friend of God.” It was not Abraham’s assessment of his relationship with God, nor how he thought about God. It was a statement that God made about Abraham.

The relationship Abraham enjoyed with God was a remarkable one by human standards – but tremendously encouraging for us. God is not a partial God. He is not a respecter of persons. God doesn’t involve Himself in cliques or narrow, exclusive groups of people that only a few can enter. Rather, He extends the hand of friendship to all of those in His family. If we follow the example of our spiritual forefather Abraham by being in agreement with God, displaying loyalty and dependability towards God, and freely confiding in Him in all matters, then we too will be called the friends of God.

Proverbs 3:32b: “the LORD offers his friendship to the godly.”