2 Tim 2:15 "Study to shew thyself approved unto God, a workman that needeth not to be ashamed, rightly dividing the word of truth."
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ARE YOU A FRIEND OF GOD?
THURSDAY, NOVEMBER 10
James 2:23
John 15:15-16
“…I have called you friends…”
ARE YOU A FRIEND OF GOD?
How can a man be called “the Friend of God” (James 2:23)? What a privilege it is to be acknowledged by such a relationship. But do you know that a Christian is known as the friend of God?
Believed in the words of God: Abraham believed in the words of God since his call. When God told him to get out of his country, he obeyed God and left his home country. There were times that he seemed impatient with the promise of God, but when God reassured him of His promises, Abraham “believed in the LORD; and he counted it to him for righteousness” (Gen 15:6).
Imputed with the righteousness of God: The imputation of righteousness which Moses mentioned in Genesis 15:6 preceded by more than thirty years the obedience of Abraham to God’s instruction to sacrifice Isaac (the work which some claimed to have justified Abraham or made Abraham righteous). Definitely his work of obedience was not added to his faith, for he was already imputed with righteousness before that. Abraham had faith even before he arrived in Canaan. “By faith he sojourned in the land of promise, as in a strange country, dwelling in tabernacles with Isaac and Jacob, the heirs with him of the same promise: For he looked for a city which hath foundations, whose builder and maker is God” (Heb 11:9-10).
Do you want to be a friend of God? Let us believe in His words. As the children’s song goes, “Obedience is the very best way to show that you believe, doing exactly what the Lord commands, doing it happily…” It is by good works manifested in the lives of the believers that true faith is made complete. Doing whatsoever He commands us to do is the only way we can be friends of God. “… If a man love me, he will keep my words: and my Father will love him, and we will come unto him, and make our abode with him” (John 14:23).
THOUGHT: Am I a friend of God?
PRAYER: Father, may my obedience to Thee be a hallmark of my life.