How To Become A Friend Of God

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A Christian must show his faith by works. Faith is a lot more than merely believing in God. Faith with works means we believe God and do what he commands (Jam. 2:18)

God plainly states that faith without works is dead (Jam. 2:19-21). Now a lot of preachers will tell you that a Christian cannot be saved by works, and they are completely right. But they fail to state that works are still a necessary part of the qualification process for gaining eternal life. Otherwise it would not be listed in these verses. Leaving “works” out of the equation is merely another way of saying the law of God is abolished. But faith and obedience go hand in hand.

Scriptures also tell us that demons believe in God and tremble. But they don’t believe God (what He says) and still refuse to do faithful works. Now they face the blackest future one can imagine.

Verses 19-21 speak about Abraham being justified by his works. We know that God didn’t actually require Abraham to kill his son, but in his mind it was as good as done. Abraham waited 25 years for this promised son. He was an old man when Isaac was born, yet he was ready to sacrifice him to God – which was a prime example of his works – the kind of works that bring faith alive.

Abraham is the father of the faithful (Rom. 4:11). God desires that true Christians emulate his example and how far he was willing to go in obeying God. If we build up that type of faith filled obedience, God will bless us also, as He did Abraham.

“Seest thou how faith wrought with his works, and by works was faith made perfect? And the scripture was fulfilled which saith, Abraham believed (obeyed) God, and it was imputed unto him for righteousness: and he was called “the friend of God” (Jam. 2:22-23).

Abraham didn’t just believe in the existence of God, his sacrificing or saving work – he “believed” God’s every word and every promise. He did precisely what God told him to do, unlike this deceived religious world which tries to do away with living faith, with God’s commandments and so on. Instead, they sacrifice their own way, with their make-believe (man-invented) doctrines. Preachers today try to be friends with the world, and have a dead faith.

Rahab the harlot was also commended for her works in the sight of God (verses 24-25). She risked her life to save messengers of Israel. At this point she had repented of her sins and believed what the God of Israel said. Her works “proved” her living faith. To this end, God no longer viewed her as a harlot. He only gives her that label within this context in order to teach a lesson. I’m sure he viewed her like Abraham – as a friend of God.

Abraham and Rahab believed God and proved it by their works. They showed their faith by their works. They acted on their faith by doing exactly what God said, and that is how their faith came alive.

There are many more examples of “friends of God” who completely obeyed and submitted their lives. God desires that we become His friends. This is not a blasphemous statement — it is biblical — a special honour and distinction. Imagine, wicked sinners being allowed to become friends of God!

“For as the body without the spirit is dead, so faith without works is dead also” (Jam. 2:26).