A Friend of God

"...and he was called God's friend." James 2:23

Abraham was God's friend because He believed God's promises (2:23) and because He obeyed God's commands (2:22). Faith in God and obedience to God are inseparable twins. Hebrews 11:8 says, "By faith Abraham, when called to go to a place he would later receive as his inheritance, obeyed and went, even though he did not know where he was going."

James says that faith not expressed through obedience is no faith at all (2:17, 26). It is also true that obedience not growing out of faith is equally of no value. A friend of God walks in deep faith and diligent obedience at the same time.

Father, as Abraham was Your friend, I desire to be Your friend. Thank you for condescending to friendship with a mere mortal like myself. Teach me to walk more and more in the faith and obedience that enables me to live in close friendship with You.

I'm praying for you.
Pastor Mark