Friend In Deed

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

Everyone has a circle of friends that gets more intimate as the circle gets smaller. Jesus had 120 in His largest circle after His ascension (Acts 1:15). Then there were seventy-two who were trained disciples (Luke 10:1), and then twelve who were with Him for the three years of His ministry (Matthew 10:1-4). Within that group were His three closest friends, Peter, James, and John (Mark 9:2), among whom John seems to have been the closest (John 13:23; 20:2).

In John 15:14, Jesus drew the lines of friendship a different way: anyone who keeps His commandments can be considered His friend. By “friend” Jesus meant someone with whom He would communicate and co-labor, someone He could trust to carry out His will when He left earth and returned to heaven. The question for today’s believer is, Am I the kind of disciple that Jesus would see as a friend? Am I committed to obeying His commands? Can He count on me to fulfill His mission in His absence?

Those who would be friends of Jesus may have to forsake some earthly friends. It’s one thing to be the friend of man, another to be the friend of God.

The golden rule for understanding in spiritual matters is not intellect, but obedience.

OSWALD CHAMBERS