God Is Declaring You As His Friend

The thought that God calls me his friend is so encouraging and comforting. But what would cause God to call me his friend? When the Bible speaks of Abraham as a friend of God, it says something very key about his relationship with God.

James 2:23 And so it happened just as the Scriptures say: “Abraham believed God, and God counted him as righteous because of his faith.” He was even called the friend of God.

As you can see, faith is what caused God to declare Abraham, his friend. The Bible warns us about another type of friendship that directly opposes friendship with God. Apostle James tells us that being a friend of the world is being an enemy of God; he even calls it adultery. This is what he wrote. “You adulterers! Don’t you realize that friendship with the world makes you an enemy of God? I say it again: If you want to be a friend of the world, you make yourself an enemy of God. James 4:4

Apostle John describes the “world” in these words, “For everything in the world—the cravings of sinful man, the lust of his eyes and the boasting of what he has and does—comes not from the Father but from the world.  1 John 2:16  So, being caught up in the cravings, lusts, and the pride of this world is the same as being an enemy of God. God’s greatest desire is that we would experience all the wonder of who he is, and this world cannot produce that. Graphic disappointment is the end result of trying to be fulfilled by this world. Only the love and life of God can satisfy our deepest needs!

So why are there many who are not fulfilled by the love and grace of God? The culprit is the law. Many don’t fully surrender to the love of God because they are blinded by the righteousness that comes from trying to obey the law. On the contrary, those who receive Jesus no longer belong to the law and are set free from its powers.

Colossians 2:20-23 Since you died with Christ to the basic principles of this world, (the law) why, as though you still belonged to it, do you submit to its rules: 21 “Do not handle! Do not taste! Do not touch!”? 22 These are all destined to perish with use because they are based on human commands and teachings. 23 Such regulations indeed have an appearance of wisdom, with their self-imposed worship, their false humility, and their harsh treatment of the body, but they lack any value in restraining sensual indulgence.

The rules found in the law God gave to Moses are all principles of this world and are powerless to help you tap into the amazing life of God. Accessing the abundant life of God comes from receiving the grace that he provided through Jesus Christ. As I already stated, the Bible asserts that Abraham believed God and was called the friend of God. Likewise, when we believe, we also step into the privileged life of being a friend of God. Those who surrender to the love and grace of God enter the transformation process that causes them to live the abundant life that produces Christlike actions. It is not by works but rather by faith!

Knowing the love of God causes the cravings and lusts of this world to be under your feet! Remember, freedom is not doing whatever you feel like, but rather the power to do what you know is best!

Some people drive cars that are so old and broke down that when they get to the gas station, they say, “check the gas and fill ‘er up with oil.” Okay – it’s probably not that bad… But, when I think of living for this world, that’s what it makes me think of. On the other hand, living for God is like driving a brand-new Lamborghini – it’s fast – it’s beautiful, and it’s so much fun!

As I pray for you today, I am asking God to give you a greater revelation of his love and grace! Today God is drawing you into his extraordinary life of faith, causing your life to be an uncompromising act of love to Him! Yes, the love of God within you is the power to put the world and all its deceitful and destructive desires in their rightful place under your feet!

My dear friend, may you believe God! May you, by faith, rest in the righteousness God has granted you through the sacrifice of Jesus! If you do, you can be sure that, just like Abraham,…

God Is Declaring You As His Friend