ABRAHAM: THE FRIEND OF GOD

“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" (Jam. 2:23 NKJV).

Abraham was not sinless, but he was one of the great men mentioned in the Bible. He was called “the friend of God” (Gen. 15:6; 2 Chron. 20: 7, Isa. 41: 8). This meant that Abraham was a man of obedience, a man of readiness and peace, and a man characterized by unselfishness and control of his family.

Abraham was a man of obedience - Abraham obeyed God when he left his country and family (Gen. 12, Heb. 11: 8-10). Further, he exhibited great faith regarding the offering of his son Isaac (Gen. 22). We never find Abraham rationalizing and attempting to circumvent God’s commandments.

Abraham was a man of readiness - In Gen. 12:1, God told Abraham, “Get out of your country, from your family and from your father’s house, to a land that I will show you.” Abraham immediately obeyed for in v.4 we read, “So Abram departed as the LORD had spoken to him.” Outstanding men of the Bible were always men of immediacy of action.

Abraham was a man characterized by unselfishness - Unlike many folks today who live simply to satisfy self, Abraham was not selfish. In Gen. 14 we see Abraham as a man who generously gave. His unselfish nature is also seen in giving his nephew Lot first choice of land in which to pasture his flocks and herds (Gen. 13: 5-12).

Friendship with God is a worthy goal. Abraham believed God and walked in communion and fellowship with God, following and living for God. Many folks today are enemies of God because of their love for the world (Jas. 4: 4). Abraham was God’s friend because of the quality of his character. Are you a friend of God? Jesus said, “You are my friends, if you do whatever I command you” (John 15: 14).

(Adapted from Butler Daily Bible Reading)

Soli Deo Gloria (To God Alone Be The Glory)

Quotation of the Week

“Let those be thy choicest companions who have made Christ their chief companion!”

Thomas Brooks (1608-1680)

English non-conformist Puritan preacher and Author

Word Study

Friend

In Jam. 2:23 we read, “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!" (NKJV).

Friend the Greek word philos (φίλος = fee'-los). It is means friend or loved one. In Classical Greek philos denotes a friendly relationship, a helping and caring attitude between persons whether related by blood or not. In the Septuagint philos conveys several shades of meaning: a close friend, a friend of the house or a political supporter of someone in authority.

In the New Testament, philos is often used to indicate a friend to whom one is under a basic obligation. The supreme example of a friend is the Lord Jesus. His example of love crosses all cultural boundaries. To the Jews He represented one who loved His disciples as He loved Himself. To the Greeks and Romans He was the one who laid down His life for His friends.

Prophecies Fulfilled by Jesus

Old Testament Prophecy – Messiah’s exaltation predicted (Psalm 24:3)

New Testament Fulfillment – Acts 1:11; Phil. 2:9

Did You Know…

Scripture notes several interesting examples of friendship: Ruth and Naomi (Ruth 1:16-17); David and Jonathan (1 Sam. 20:17); Jesus the “friend” to sinners (Matt. 11:19; Luke 7:34); Abraham is “the friend of God” (Jam. 2:23). And believers cannot be friends with the world and with God at the same time (Jam. 4:4).

Bible Quiz

This man was so excited about hearing from God that he invited his family and friends to come and listen. Who was he?

**Answer to last week’s trivia: Who was the only named woman in the Bible who died in childbirth? Rachel (Gen 35:16-18).

Everyday Expressions Alluded to in the Bible

"Bosom buddies”

“Now there was leaning on Jesus’ bosom one of His disciples, whom Jesus loved” (John 13:23 NKJV).

“Bosom buddies” - The expression “bosom buddies” carries the idea of a close or dear friend. In Bible times, men would recline on couches at feasts. Each person would recline slightly behind the person to his right. The person here mentioned was John who was close to the Lord. The closer we are to the Lord, the more we can learn from Him. Spiritual ignorance reveals one’s lack of closeness to the Lord.

Did You Know – Christian History

John Knox was born around 1513 in Haddington, Edinburgh. He was a Scottish minister, theologian, writer and a leader of the country’s Reformation. He was the founder of the Presbyterian Church of Scotland.

Knox was educated at the University of St Andrews. He worked as a notary-priest and then as a tutor to the sons of local lairds (lower ranking Scottish nobility). Influenced by early church reformers such as George Wishart, he joined the movement to reform the Scottish church. He was caught up in the ecclesiastical and political events that involved the murder of Cardinal David Beaton in 1546 and the intervention of the regent Mary of Guise. He was taken prisoner by French forces the following year and exiled to England on his release in 1549.

While in exile, Knox was licensed to work in the Church of England, where he rose in the ranks to serve King Edward VI of England as a royal chaplain. He exerted a reforming influence on the text of the Book of Common Prayer. When Mary I ascended the throne of England and re-established Roman Catholicism, Knox resigned his position and moved to Geneva and then to Frankfurt. In Geneva, he met John Calvin, from whom he gained experience and knowledge of Reformed theology and Presbyterian polity. He created a new order of service, which was eventually adopted by the reformed church in Scotland.

On his return to Scotland, Knox led the Protestant Reformation in Scotland, in partnership with the Scottish Protestant nobility. Knox helped write the new confession of faith and the ecclesiastical order for the newly created reformed church, the Kirk. He continued to serve as the religious leader of the Protestants throughout Mary’s reign. In several interviews with the Queen, Knox admonished her for supporting Catholic practices. When she was imprisoned for her alleged role in the murder of her husband Lord Darnley and King James VI was enthroned in her stead, Knox openly called for her execution. He continued to preach until his final days.

Knox is remembered as the ‘Thundering Scot.’ More than any other major reformer, his teaching allowed room for revolution. He believed that under some circumstances, duly constituted Christian leaders have an obligation to revolt against tyranny.

A Little Humor

A census taker walked up to a woman who was sitting on a porch. After introducing himself, he said, “How many children do you have?” The woman answered, “Four.” The census taker asked, “May I have their names, please?” The woman replied, “Eenie, Meenie, Minie, and George. Confused, the census taker said, “May I ask why you named your fourth child George?” “Surely, because we didn’t want any Moe.”

Thought Provoking Church Sign

“Christ’s friendship prevails when human friendship fails!”