Friend of God

                      You are my friends if you do what I command you - John 15:14.             

1. Be a Friend of God by Taking Time to Listen to Him - Moses

            The Lord spoke to Moses face to face, as a man speaks to his friend. So the Lord spoke to Moses face to face, as a man speaks to his friend - Exodus 33:11. 

            Jesus Himself learned from the Father through perfect submission to Him. Then, He had made known to us everything He learned from His father. I no longer call you servants, because a servant does not know his master’s business. Instead, I have called you friends, for everything that I learned from my Father I have made known to you - John 15:15. 

2. Be a Friend of God Through Obedience - Abraham

                Abraham not only listened to God’s intentions, but he also demonstrated faith and followed through in obedience in going to a place without knowing where he was going and in sacrificing Isaac.

By faith Abraham, when called to go to a place he would later receive as his inheritance, obeyed and went, even though he did not know where he was going - Hebrews 11:8.

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 2:21-24.

           Abraham remained as God's friend as he was obedient to God. Shall I hide from Abraham what I am about to do? - Genesis 18:17. You are my friends if you do what I command you - John 15:14.      

               As a friend of God, let us take time and be ready to listen to what is in His heart and what He says and obey Him. Greater love has no one than this: to lay down one’s life for one’s friends. You are my friends if you do what I command - John 15: 13-14.

                                                                                                                

PRAYER: Dear Lord, Let us be Your friend by taking time to listen to You and obey Your voice. In Jesus' name we pray. Amen.