“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” (James 2:23).
From the beginning of history God has desired fellowship and friendship with humanity. Prior to the folly and sin of Adam and Eve, God and humans enjoyed one another’s company (Genesis 3:8). They had fellowship with each other. They were friends.
Sin ruined everything.
The goal and purpose of Christ (“the last Adam”–1 Corinthians 15:45) is to provide forgiveness so that the divine-human relationships of fellowship and friendship are restored.
The specialness of Abraham and his faith can be seen in that two millennia prior to the coming of Christ and His gospel, the father of the faithful walked with God in such a way that he is called “the friend of God”. What a remarkable moniker!
Friendship implies trust, fellowship, intimacy, and loyalty. Though he was not perfect at it, Abraham was a friend of God. Anyone today who walks in the steps of faith like Abraham can and will be the friend of God also.
What a remarkable moniker.
