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)

Many psychologist suggest that people have an innate need to have a friend.  No man is an island.  Not only that, we are frequently judged by the friends that we keep.  How many times were you told as a child, "don't run around with the wrong crowd." In the Bible, Job's friends wanted to be helpful, but they missed the mark when trying to assess the reasons for his problems.  The Disciples were friends of Jesus, but they abandoned Him at Calvary (except John).  Regardless, there is something special about true friendship.

In the passage of Scripture above, Abraham was called the friend of God.  How wonderful it is to be "God's Friend."  That truly is special.  I checked and realized that there are many great people in the Bible who were never actually called "God's friend."  For instance, neither Isaiah, nor Amos, nor Solomon, nor Nehemiah, nor Paul, nor even David were called "God's friend."  Accordingly, that begs the question, "how do you become God's friend?"

We can see in the text that Abraham "believed" God.  God had directed him to offer his son, Isaac, on the alter as a sacrifice (vs.21).  Abraham believed God and put faith and works in action.  As a result, he was justified in the eyes of God.  He was called "God's friend."

If we want to be considered God's friend, we should be obedient to God.  We should believe God.  We should serve God.  We should love God. And we should have faith that God will always take care of us.  

There's not a friend like the lowly Jesus, no not one, no not one.....Yes, Jesus is my Savior, Jesus is my Lord, but I am also proud to say, Jesus is my friend.  And yes, Jesus is God incarnate!