FRIENDS OF GOD IN THE BIBLE
James 2:23 “and the Scripture was fulfilled that says, “Abraham believed God, and it was counted to him as righteousness”—and he was called a friend of God.”
Isaiah 41:8 “But you, Israel, my servant, Jacob, whom I have chosen, the offspring of Abraham, my friend;”
Exodus 33:11 “Thus the Lord used to speak to Moses face to face, as a man speaks to his friend. When Moses turned again into the camp, his assistant Joshua the son of Nun, a young man, would not depart from the tent.”
(Job 29:4; Gen. 5:22 – 24; Acts 13:22; John 15:14–15)
CHARACTERISTICS OF THE FRIENDS OF GOD
- They have a righteousness based on faith (James 2:23)
- They know God personally (Exodus 33:11)
- They have a deep respect for God and they turn away from evil (Job 1:1)
- They have a constant and consistent connection with God (Genesis 5:22 – 24)
- They do what the Lord commands them (John 15:14)
- They receive from the Lord knowledge of the will of God (John 15:15)
ENEMIES OF GOD IN THE BIBLE
- Those who have not yet surrendered to the authority (lordship) of Christ (Psalm 51:5; Romans 5:6, 8; Colossians 1:21; Ephesians 2:1–2; Romans 8:5–9, 13)
- Those who are thinking only of their own human interests instead of God’s interests (Matthew 16:23; Philippians 3:18 – 19)
- The religious hypocrites (Matthew 23:27 – 28, 33)
- Those who are friends with the evil world system (James 4:4; 1 John 2:15 – 17)
- Those who once knew Christ, but turned their backs on him (Hebrews 6:4 – 8; Hebrews 10:26 – 31)
THE LORD WILL DESTROY HIS ENEMIES (Unless they repent) (Nahum 1:2 – 3; Psalm 7:11 – 13;
Luke 19:27; Revelation 21:8)
THE LORD WILL BLESS AND REWARD HIS FRIENDS (While they remain his friends)
- God will be enemies to your enemies (Exodus 23:22)
- Jesus Christ will stay close to you no matter what you go through (Proverbs 18:24; Daniel 3:22 – 27)
- God will protect from the devil and demons (Luke 10:19; James 4:7)