Abraham – The Friend Of God

by Micky Galloway

There are a number of characters that influence the history of the scheme of redemption, but none stand out like Abraham. To him was made the promise, “in thee shall all families of the earth be blessed” (Genesis 12:3). This is explained in Acts 3:26 as “turning away every one of you from your iniquities.” Forgiveness was promised through the seed of Abraham which is Christ (Galatians 3:16). Furthermore, Abraham bears the unique distinction of being called “the friend of God” not once, but three times in Scripture (II Chronicles 2:7; Isaiah 41:8; James 2:23).

It is perhaps the text of James 2:23 that gives us insight as to why Abraham was called “the friend of God.” The context of this passage is revealing. James 2:21-24 says, “Was not Abraham our father justified by works, in that he offered up Isaac his son upon the altar? Thou seest that faith wrought with his works, and by works was faith made perfect; and the scripture was fulfilled which saith, And Abraham believed God, and it was reckoned unto him for righteousness; and he was called the friend of God. Ye see that by works a man is justified, and not only by faith.” This is in response to the questions, “What doth it profit, my brethren, if a man say he hath faith, but have not works? can that faith save him?” “…But wilt thou know, O vain man, that faith apart from works is barren?” James 2:14-20. When we talk about salvation, we cannot separate faith and works. James connected Abraham’s works in the offering of Isaac (Genesis 22:1-18) to his faith in God’s promise to make of him a great nation. Over a lifetime, Abraham demonstrated the kind of faith that saves. Abraham was the “friend of God” because, from a heart of love and devotion, he kept God’s commandments.

Abraham started with God. When God called Abraham he was living in Ur of Chaldees (Acts 7:2). God said to Abraham, “Get thee out of thy country, and from thy kindred, and from thy father’s house, unto the land that I will show thee. And I will make of thee a great nation, and I will bless thee, and make they name great. And be thou a blessing” (Genesis 12:1-2). Abraham was called upon to sacrifice his country, relatives and his father’s house in order to obey the voice of God. To leave all this was to leave a rich country with familiarity to go into a place he did not know. Hebrews 11:8 says, “By faith Abraham, when he was called, obeyed to go out unto a place which he was to receive for an inheritance; and he went out, not knowing whither he went.” It was necessary that Abraham be completely separated from the idolatry of the land and learn to be completely dependent upon God. God has never asked anyone to make sacrifices without offering the promise of greater things. When God spoke to Abraham, the commandment also included the blessing, “I will make thy name great and be thou a blessing.”

We too are called out of this world to live a sacrificial life of separation. “Wherefore Come ye out from among them, and be ye separate, saith the Lord, And touch no unclean thing; And I will receive you, And will be to you a Father, And ye shall be to me sons and daughters, saith the Lord Almighty” (II Corinthians 6:17-18). With the commandment comes the promise of eternal life (cf. Matthew 19:29). Let us ever remember that the very best that the world can offer doesn’t begin to compare with heaven’s least.

Abraham stayed with God. Having started with God, having come into the land, now Abraham has the choice to go or stay. “And if indeed they had been mindful of that (country) from which they went out, they would have had opportunity to return” (Hebrews 11:15). Abraham faced many problems in the land. Strangely enough, when Abraham arrived in the land there were already inhabitants there who were not friendly. Secondly, a famine hit forcing Abraham to go to Egypt for his very sustenance. Thirdly, there was the dispute between the herdsman of Lot and Abraham forcing the separation of these families. Then there was war in the land, causing Abraham to risk everything in order to save his nephew, Lot. Then Abraham was told that he would not personally possess the land, but his descendants four hundred years down the road would inherit the land. In his old age, Abraham was promised a son. Romans 4:19-20 says, “And without being weakened in faith he considered his own body now as good as dead (he being about a hundred years old), and the deadness of Sarah's womb; yet, looking unto the promise of God, he wavered not through unbelief, but waxed strong through faith, giving glory to God, and being fully assured that what he had promised, he was able also to perform.” Through this son there would develop a great nation of people. Then came the ultimate test of staying with God. God said, “Take now thy son, thine only son, whom thou lovest, even Isaac, and get thee into the land of Moriah. And offer him there for a burnt-offering upon one of the mountains which I will tell thee of” (Genesis 22:2). How could it be that God could bless Abraham with a great nation of descendants if Abraham killed his son? Abraham’s reasoning is seen in Hebrews 11:17-19, “By faith Abraham, being tried, offered up Isaac: yea, he that had gladly received the promises was offering up his only begotten (son); even he to whom it was said, In Isaac shall thy seed be called: accounting that God (is) able to raise up, even from the dead.” It is at this point in his life that the Spirit inspired writer, James, calls Abraham “the friend of God.” “Was not Abraham our father justified by works, in that he offered up Isaac his son upon the altar? Thou seest that faith wrought with his works, and by works was faith made perfect; and the scripture was fulfilled which saith, And Abraham believed God, and it was reckoned unto him for righteousness; and he was called the friend of God” (James 2:21-23).

Our lives are not without trials and temptations (cf. I Corinthians 10:13) that often cause us to abandon our journey. Let us, like righteous Abraham, determine to stay with God, fully assured of the promises God has made. Paul said, “I press on toward the goal unto the prize of the high calling of God in Christ Jesus” (Philippians 3:4).

Abraham finished with God. “And these are the days of the years of Abraham’s life which he lived, a hundred threescore and fifteen years. And Abraham gave up the ghost, and died in a good old age, an old man, and full (of years), and was gathered to his people” (Genesis 25:7-8).That Abraham died “full of years,” indicates that his life was full, satisfied and abounding. Old age for Abraham was not a time of regret from wasted years, but a time of contentment and satisfaction. It was a time to anticipate the joy of, “the city which hath the foundations, whose builder and maker is God” (Hebrews 11:10).

Abraham had purpose in life and therefore his faith was reckoned unto him for righteousness and he was called “the friend of God.” If we will start, stay and finish with God, we too can be counted as “the friend of God,” desiring “a better (country), that is, a heavenly: wherefore God is not ashamed of them, to be called their God; for he hath prepared for them a city” (Hebrews 11:16).