FRIENDSHIP WITHOUT SUSPICION.
Abraham’s friendship with God stands as a perfect example of what true friendship is all about.
True friendship goes beyond suspicion. When God told Abraham to offer up his only son Isaac to Him; Abraham did not find it difficult obeying God. He had come a long way with God and he had come to know God for Who He is. Friendship is not a one day affair.
Those who throw themselves on strange people in the name of friendship often time jump out of such relationship with serious bruises. The history of your friendship matter a lot. It determines the level of trust.
Every true relationship waits to be tested and proved. The Bible enjoins us to prove all things.
Abraham was willing to offer his son in obedience to God; accounting that God was able also to raise him up from the dead. He knew that God by His instruction was not out to exploit him, neither was He out to diminish his glory.
He was so sure that if he offered Isaac in sacrifice unto God, God was going to raise him up from the dead. He knew that was the last thing that could happen. In this trust, he was eager to obey God.
Many today find it difficult to go all the way in obeying God; because they are not friends enough to believe that God is not out to exploit them by His instructions for their lives. Abraham obeyed God and it was counted unto him for righteousness.
Long after Abraham died; Jesus saw a descendant of Abraham in the temple and said – “Ought not this woman whom satan hath bound lo these eighteen years be loosed from her bond on the Sabbath day; she also being a daughter of Abraham?” Luke 13:16.
What Jesus remembered was his friendship with her forefather – Abraham. It was a friendship which outlasted Abraham.
God calls today into friendship with Him. Jesus said – “Ye are my friends if ye do whatsoever I command thee” John 15:14. Those who contend with God’s instructions for their lives don’t qualify for friendship with God.
Friendship with God which forbids friendship with the world makes those who insist on friendship with the world perpetual enemies of God. Where do you stand? Come into friendship with Jesus and enjoy the privilege of carrying everything to God in prayer.