Sunday, November 11, 2007

A Friend of God

[John 14:21, 15:14-5]

Jesus will manifest himself to those who keep his commandments. Have you ever been frustrated because you couldn’t understand what God was doing in your life? Why the trials? Why no answers? Why won’t God speak to me and Give me direction? Most often, we make it impossible for God to speak with us. God wants us just to obey. Then he will begin to show us the reasons why.

The difference between a servant and a friend is that servants must follow blindly. The master is not obligated to give them explanations. The friend is the one who you share your thoughts with. If the disciple of Christ ever wants to be his friend, he must first learn to be a servant. He must follow the Lord blindly without knowing what the result will be of the obedience. Once the Christian learns to obey, God will begin to reveal his plan in that person’s life; and he will give him the answer to his “why.”

Jas 2:20 But wilt thou know, O vain man, that faith without works is dead?
Jas 2:21 Was not Abraham our father justified by works, when he had offered Isaac his son upon the altar?
Jas 2:22 Seest thou how faith wrought with his works, and by works was faith made perfect?
Jas 2:23 And the Scripture was fulfilled which saith, Abraham believed God, and it was imputed unto him for righteousness: and he was called the Friend of God.

2Ch 20:7 Art not thou our God, who didst drive out the inhabitants of this land before thy people Israel, and gavest it to the seed of Abraham thy friend forever?

Isa 41:8 But thou, Israel, art my servant, Jacob whom I have chosen, the seed of Abraham my friend.

Abraham was considered a friend of God because he had obeyed. Was faith important? ABSOLUTLEY! That faith was necessary for Abraham to obey. The fact that Abraham obeyed proved that his faith was true. Many of us say we have faith but never step out. Our faith is not made perfect. The implication is that we are not really trusting God. If we really want the Lord to manifest himself to us, we must obey. We must start by willfully submitting ourselves to follow his commandments; then he’ll be able to call us friends and he’ll work in our lives beyond just our salvation.

1Jn 2:3 And hereby we do know that we know him, if we keep his commandments.
1Jn 2:4 He that saith, I know him, and keepeth not his commandments, is a liar, and the truth is not in him.
1Jn 2:5 But whoso keepeth his word, in him verily is the love of God perfected: hereby know we that we are in him.


Exo 33:11 And the LORD spoke unto Moses face to face, as a man speaketh unto his friend…

Pro 18:24 A man that hath friends must show himself friendly: and there is a friend that sticketh closer than a brother.

Pro 22:11 He that loveth pureness of heart, for the grace of his lips the king shall be his friend.

Mat 5:8 Blessed are the pure in heart: for they shall see God.


Proverbs says that the pure in heart will be the King’s friend. Jesus said that the pure in heart will see God. He will manifest himself to that person who has chosen to be the King’s friend…