God's Friend Abraham

James 2:20–24 NKJV

But do you want to know, O foolish man, that faith without works is dead? Was not Abraham our father justified by works when he offered Isaac his son on the altar? Do you see that faith was working together with his works, and by works faith was made perfect? 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. You see then that a man is justified by works, and not by faith only.

James 2:20-24

Why is Abraham here called the “friend of God”? Is it simply because of the covenant relationship? James is clearly telling us within the context that it was the ACTIONS of Abraham that caused him to be called the friend of God. It is the same for us.

What does a friend do? Let’s apply what we know about Abraham and see what the friendship between him and God was like.

2 Chronicles 20:7 - Jehoshaphat refers to Abraham as God’s friend

I. Abraham’s WILLINGNESS sent him forward to obey.

A. When God initially called Abram, there seemed to be no hesitation (Gen. 12:1-9).

1. God calls Abram, and he goes. No questions, no excuses. Very admirable.

2. This was a willingness that continued all his life.

B. Being friends with God means being willing to walk with Him.

1. Micah 6:8 He has told you, O man, what is good; and what does the LORD require of you but to do justice, and to love kindness, and to walk humbly with your God?

2. Walking with God is not always easy, but it becomes easier if we have a willingness to follow Him.

3. Matthew 26:41 Watch and pray that you may not enter into temptation. The spirit indeed is willing, but the flesh is weak."

C. A willingness to walk with God separates us from the world.

1. James 4:4 - Being friends with the world opposes God. God is jealous of our friendship with Him.

2. Abraham might have wanted to stay in Ur, but he didn’t let that desire replace his faith in God.

3. Moses “considered the reproach of Christ greater wealth than the treasures of Egypt, for he was looking to the reward.” Hebrews 11:26

II. Abraham’s DILIGENCE drew him to accomplish what God commanded.

A. When God called upon Abraham to offer Isaac, there was still no hesitation (Gen. 22:1-3).

1. Rose “early in the morning” - again, no excuses

2. Isaac trusts in his father’s promise (v.8), as Abraham trusts in The Father’s promise to him (in that Isaac is the Son of promise).

B. God teaches us to be diligent, so that we can be His friends.

1. We are not God’s friends just because we SAY so.

2. Saying and doing are two different things. Life teaches us so.

3. Friendship with God is an opportunity to work in His kingdom.

4. John 15:4-5 - We work in His vineyard, and if we are faithful in this, we are His friends.

C. Friendship with God is based on knowledge and action.

1. John 15:15 - The knowledge that Jesus gave the Apostles made them more than servants - friends.

2. If we want to be God’s friends, we must KNOW Him.

3. 2 Timothy 2:15 Do your best to present yourself to God as one approved, a worker who has no need to be ashamed, rightly handling the word of truth.

III. Abraham’s FAITHFULNESS gave him a good standing with God through eternity

A. Spoken of by the Hebrew author in glowing terms (Hebrews 11:8-16).

1. Genesis 25:7-10 - At the point of his death, Abraham “died in a good old age”.

2. How many in this world might we be able to say that about?

3. This is not to exalt Abraham as a man, but to exalt God!

B. Notice: even though Abraham made mistakes and sinned, he was in the end called God’s friend.

1. NOT because God ignored his sin, but in that Abraham was faithful!

2. Abraham’s mistakes are not mentioned at all even when his name comes up after Genesis.

3. When God does this, it means that the person who committed those sins has been FORGIVEN!

4. Micah 7:18-20 - a good friend forgives, and God is the best friend we could ever have.

C. Being faithful is about enduring to the end.

1. We can have the same hope and faithfulness that Abraham had.

2. This is not some superhuman feat that Abraham accomplished; he was a man, the same as any of us.

3. Remember - what we DO or DON’T DO is important!

4. 1 Corinthians 4:1-5