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There are two passages in the Old Testament to which the apostle may here refer, viz., 2 Chronicles 20:7; Isaiah 41:8. That any of the fallen children of Adam should be admitted to bear this title, a" Friend of God," is at once a display of the greatest condescension on the part of the glorious Jehovah, and of the efficacy of His grace in its influence on the heart.

I. ABRAHAM ENTERS INTO THIS STATE OF FRIENDSHIP WITH GOD BY THE CALL OF DIVINE GRACE, AND AS A BELIEVER IN THE DIVINE WORD. This method of entering into friendship with God is graciously appointed as suited to our fallen state, and as bringing honour to God in our salvation. It shows that on no ground of our own can we claim acceptance with the Majesty of heaven. We have fallen from Him, and have forfeited His love. If we are received by Him, it must be in some way devised by His wisdom and grace, and which He discovers to us; and we must be brought to receive it as He freely and graciously presents it unto us in the testimony of His own Word, so that by the exercise of faith in that Word, and resting on what it reveals as coming from God, we are to be accepted, justified, and saved.

II. AS THE FRIEND OF GOD, ABRAHAM WAS FAVOURED WITH DIVINE DIRECTION, AND IMPLICITLY FOLLOWED THAT DIVINE GUIDANCE. This has ever been the privilege and the spirit of those who have been heirs of the faith and piety of Abraham. Called out from the course of an evil world, they have become travellers towards the heavenly Canaan, have been taken under the care of their God, as the friend of their souls; and they have yielded themselves to the guidance of infinite wisdom and mercy as to all the way which they should pursue through this world. God, as their gracious Friend, has said that "the meek He will guide in judgment, and the meek He will teach His way"; by the counsels of His Word He will lead them in right paths, by the events of His providence open their path; making His way straight before their face — the way in which He would have them to go; giving to them the wisdom profitable to direct them, and inclining their hearts to walk in the path He points out.

III. AS THE FRIEND OF GOD, ABRAHAM HAD INTIMATE COMMUNION WITH GOD. "The secret of the Lord is with them that fear Him, and He will show them His covenant" — He will make them the men of His counsel, acquainted with His will, and receiving the tokens of His love. He invites them to come near, He promises to commune with them off the mercy-seat; there is the gracious Intercessor to introduce them, and the Divine Spirit to aid them. Their "fellowship truly is to be with the Father, and with His Son Jesus Christ." They are to find that it is good for them to draw nigh unto God. Through Christ they have an access by one Spirit unto the Father." They are to realise a Friend in heaven who is ready to attend to their cases — who can understand all their feelings, observe all their wants — who can sympathise with them under all their sorrows — who is ready at all times to hear their pleadings, and who "is able to do for them exceeding abundantly above all that they ask or think, according to the power that worketh in them."

IV. AS THE FRIEND OF GOD, THERE WAS, IN THE CASE OF ABRAHAM, SUBMISSION AND OBEDIENCE TO THE DIVINE WILL, COMBINED WITH TRUST IN THE DIVINE PROMISES. The same word that gives the command presents the promise; we are to Obey the one, and leave it with God to fulfil the other. His command must be right, His promise must be true and good; the dispensations of His providence must be wise and right, and the word of His promise must be firm as the pillars of heaven!

V. As THE FRIEND OF GOD ABRAHAM WAS LOOKING FOR HIS FULL AND FINAL HAPPINESS IN GOD. This is the case with all those who partake of the faith and piety of Abraham. Thus it was with his believing descendants. This was their language, "As for me, I shall behold Thy faith in righteousness; I shall be satisfied when I awake in Thy likeness." "This God is our God for ever and ever, He will be our guide even unto death." "Thou shalt guide me with Thy counsel, and afterwards receive me to glory." They felt their spirits rising to God, longing to get nearer to Him. "My soul followeth hard after Thee," anticipating the complete enjoyment of His presence and love, and conformity to His image in a future state. This is to be "the inheritance of the saints in light," for which God is meetening them by the friendship they have with Him here. By way of conclusion, let us observe —

1. How great the privilege, how high the honour, how enduring the happiness, to be a friend of God!

2. Then the great point of inquiry is, Are we possessors of the faith and piety by which Abraham was distinguished as "the friend of God"?

(Thos. Coleman.)

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KJV: What doth it profit, my brethren, though a man say he hath faith, and have not works? can faith save him?

WEB: What good is it, my brothers, if a man says he has faith, but has no works? Can faith save him?