John 15:1-15 “I am the true vine, and my Father is the husbandman. Every branch in me that beareth not fruit he taketh away: and every branch that beareth fruit, he purgeth it, that it may bring forth more fruit. Now ye are clean through the word which I have spoken unto you. Abide in me, and I in you. As the branch cannot bear fruit of itself, except it abide in the vine; no more can ye, except ye abide in me. I am the vine, ye are the branches: He that abideth in me, and I in him, the same bringeth forth much fruit: for without me ye can do nothing. If a man abide not in me, he is cast forth as a branch, and is withered; and men gather them, and cast them into the fire, and they are burned. If ye abide in me, and my words abide in you, ye shall ask what ye will, and it shall be done unto you. Herein is my Father glorified, that ye bear much fruit; so shall ye be my disciples. As the Father hath loved me, so have I loved you: continue ye in my love. If ye keep my commandments, ye shall abide in my love; even as I have kept my Father’s commandments, and abide in his love. These things have I spoken unto you, that my joy might remain in you, and that your joy might be full. This is my commandment, That ye love one another, as I have loved you. Greater love hath no man than this, that a man lay down his life for his friends. Ye are my friends, if ye do whatsoever I command you. Henceforth I call you not servants; for the servant knoweth not what his lord doeth: but I have called you friends; for all things that I have heard of my Father I have made known unto you.”

Text James 2:23 “Abraham believed God, and it was imputed unto him for righteousness: and he was called the Friend of God.”

I believe it would be safe to say that no intelligent person would deny the fact that God is the friend of man. Speaking of the sacrifice of friendship, Jesus said, “Greater love hath no man than this, that a man lay down his life for his friends” (John 15:12). Jesus’ complete and finished work on Calvary is proof of God’s friendship! The question that we need to ask ourselves; especially those of us that claim to be a Christian is; “Am I the friend of God?” Not is God my friend, but am I God’s friend? Our friendship is verified by our believing; “Abraham believed God . . . and he was called the Friend of God.” The word “believed” means to have faith with respect to a person or thing, to trust one’s spiritual wellbeing to. The friend of God has taken God at His Word; a position of rest that is confident that all will be sufficiently taken care of by our Heavenly Father! God’s principles, precepts, and practices are a reflection of the perfection of his person: therefore He is to be trusted! Our friendship is verified by our behaving; “Ye are my friends, if ye do whatsoever I command you” (John 15:14). To be in rebellion to the known will of God is a clear indication that one is not the friend of God! Jesus said “If ye love me, keep my commandments.” If I am a friend of God then I will love God and that love will be manifested in being obedient to His commandments; thus revealing that I am truly God’s friend! Are you the friend of God; are you believing and behaving?