BEING A FRIEND OF GOD

By Randy Cavender

One of the greatest privileges of life is to have friends. The Bible teaches, "A man of many companions may come to ruin, but there is a friend who sticks closer than a brother" (Prov. 18:24). But what an honor it is to be a friend of God!

Some believe it not possible, but the scriptures teach otherwise. Abraham was a friend of God (James 2:21-24). Fur­thermore, we can also be friends with God. But how? Well, if we had the same character as Abraham, would we not be friends with God also? What made Abra­ham God's friend?

The first thing I think concerning Abra­ham was his great faith. The Hebrew writer says of Abraham:

By faith Abra­ham obeyed when he was called to go out to the place which he would after­ward receive as an in­heritance. And he went out, not knowing where he was go­ing. By faith he sojourned in the land of promise as in a foreign country, dwelling in tents with Isaac and Jacob, the heirs with him of the same promise; for he waited for the city which has foundations, whose builder and maker is God (Heb. 11:8-10).

Furthermore, the apostle Paul said of Abraham,

And not being weak in faith, he did not consider his own body, already dead (since he was about a hun­dred years old), and the deadness of Sarah's womb. He did not waver at the promise of God through unbelief, but was strengthened in faith, giving glory to God, and being fully convinced that what He had promised He was also able to per­form (Rom. 4:19-21).

How does your faith compare to Abraham's? Do you wa­ver at the promises of God? Let us:

Be­ware, brethren, lest there be in any of you an evil heart of unbelief in departing from the living God (Heb. 3:12).

The Bible teaches that Abraham was prompt in his obedience. Abraham was not saved by faith alone. In fact, the Bible says, "By faith Abraham obeyed...."  When God commanded Abraham to leave his homeland, he did so without de­lay (Gen. 12:1-4). When God instructed him to offer his only son Isaac, the very next morning Abraham proceeded to do exactly what God said. All too often we find ourselves almost having to be begged to obey God's commandments. In the book of Acts, those who desired to obey the gospel did so without delay. They did not claim to "receive Christ" yet delay baptism until the next week (Acts 8:36-39; 16:25-34)! As children of God, we are to continue to be obedient! Yet, we want to put it off. "I'll wait until it is convenient for me!" is the attitude of some who profess to be Christians. If you want to be a friend of God, obey the commandments of God immediately!

Finally, Abraham was concerned about worshiping God (Gen. 12:7,8; 13:3-4, 18). God did not have to push Abraham to worship Him. It was Abraham's desire! It has been said, "If absence makes the heart grow fonder, then some really love the church." There are some who will come to church and sit about an hour, and think that they are pleasing God. These people maintain that they are faithful Christians. What a joke! God seeks our worship! He desires that we worship Him in spirit and in truth (John 4:24). But we should desire to worship God also, just as Abraham. How concerned are you about worshipping God?

Could it be said of you that you are a friend of God? If not, why don't you obey the commandments of God and be His friend (John 15:14)? [Via The Dyersburg PathFinder] &

Diary of A Bible

[Selected]

Recently I read the "Diary Of A Bible." I do not know the author. Any one of millions of Bibles covered in dust could have written the following:

    January 10. Been resting for a week. The first few nights of the New Year my owner read me regularly, but he has now forgotten me already, I guess.

    February 7. Clean up time. I was dusted with other things and then put back on the shelf.

    February 9. Owner used me for a short time after dinner looking over a few references. Went to Bible school today.

    March 6. Clean up. Dusted again. Have been in the hall since my trip to Bible school last month.

    March 30. Busy day. Owner had young people's meeting and had to look up references. He had an awful time finding them but they were there all the time.

    May 3. In Grandma's lap again this afternoon. She spent most of her time in 1st Corinthians 13 and the last four verses of the 15th chapter.

    May 7, 8, 9. In Grandma's lap again this afternoon. She spent most of her time reading and sometimes she just talks to me. It is so comfortable there.

    May 10. Grandma is gone. Back to the same old place. She did kiss me bye before she left.

    July 3. Had a couple of four-leaf clovers stuck in me today.

    July 4. Packed in a suitcase with clothes and other things. Off on vacation I guess.

    July 7. Still in suitcase.

    July 10. Still in suitcase, though all else has been taken out by now.

    July 15. Home again in my old place. Quite a nice journey they say, though I did not see why.

    Aug. 1. Rather stuffy and hot. Have two magazines, a novel and an old hat on top of me.

    Sept. 10. Used by Mary for a few minutes today. She was writing a letter to a friend whose brother died and wanted appropriate verses.

    Sept. 23. New mail order catalogue came today. Certainly is getting a lot of attention. More than I ever received.

    Oct. 10. Wished someone would take these stinking four-leaf clovers out of me. They have been here five months now, and they tickle me, they are so dry and flaky.

    Nov. 29. Thanksgiving season. Was taken to church last Sunday.

    Dec. 31. End of another year. Not interesting for me. Maybe next year. &

    -- Via "The Pointer," Volume VI, Number 31, October 13, 1974