When we sing the popular song “I Am a Friend of God,” it’s easy to assume that being God’s friend is automatic for everyone who believes in Him. However, the Bible shows us that friendship with God is reserved for those who meet specific conditions and display certain qualities. It’s not for everyone, but for a few who live in a way that pleases God. Let’s explore the life of Abraham, one of the few people in Scripture who was called a friend of God, to understand what it takes to hold that title truly.

1. Faith and Trust in God

Abraham’s friendship with God began with faith. God called Abraham to leave his homeland and go to a place he didn’t know, and Abraham obeyed in faith, trusting that God would lead him to something better.

James 2:23 (NKJV): “And 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.”

Hebrews 11:8 (NKJV): “By faith Abraham obeyed when he was called to go out to the place which he would receive as an inheritance. And he went out, not knowing where he was going.”

What it takes: To be a friend of God, like Abraham, requires unwavering trust. We must believe in God’s promises and be willing to follow His leading, even when the path ahead is unclear.

2. Obedience to God’s Commands

Abraham not only believed in God, but he also acted on that belief through obedience. God tested Abraham’s loyalty and obedience when He asked him to sacrifice his son Isaac. Even though the request was incredibly difficult, Abraham obeyed, showing that his trust in God was complete.

Genesis 22:2-3 (NKJV): “Then He said, ‘Take now your son, your only son Isaac, whom you love, and go to the land of Moriah, and offer him there as a burnt offering…’ So Abraham rose early in the morning…”

John 15:14 (NKJV): “You are My friends if you do whatever I command you.”

What it takes: Friendship with God requires obedience, even when it challenges our understanding or comfort. Abraham demonstrated that a true friend of God follows His instructions without hesitation.

3. Intimacy and Communication with God

Abraham enjoyed intimate communication with God. He wasn’t just a servant but a close companion of God who knew God’s heart and plans. God shared His intentions with Abraham and even invited his input regarding the judgment of Sodom and Gomorrah.

Genesis 18:17 (NKJV): “And the Lord said, ‘Shall I hide from Abraham what I am doing…?’”

Exodus 33:11 (NKJV): “So the Lord spoke to Moses face to face, as a man speaks to his friend.”

What it takes: To be a friend of God, we must seek intimacy with Him through prayer and study of His Word. God desires to reveal His will to His friends through deep communication and relationships.

4. Reverence and Fear of the Lord

Though Abraham was close to God, his friendship was marked by a deep sense of reverence. He understood that while he could approach God as a friend, God was still the Creator and King who deserved his utmost respect.

Genesis 17:3 (NKJV): “Then Abram fell on his face, and God talked with him…”

Proverbs 9:10 (NKJV): “The fear of the Lord is the beginning of wisdom, and the knowledge of the Holy One is understanding.”

What it takes: A friend of God never loses the fear of the Lord. While friendship implies closeness, it doesn’t eliminate reverence. Friends of God honour Him and respect His holiness.

5. Walking in Righteousness and Holiness

Abraham’s life was characterized by his willingness to walk in righteousness. He pursued God’s ways and quickly responded to correction or guidance from God. Because of his commitment to walking in His ways, God chose to establish a covenant with Abraham.

Genesis 17:1 (NKJV): “When Abram was ninety-nine years old, the Lord appeared to Abram and said to him, ‘I am Almighty God; walk before Me and be blameless.’”

Psalm 25:14 (NKJV): “The secret of the Lord is with those who fear Him, and He will show them His covenant.”

What it takes: To maintain friendship with God, we must pursue holiness and righteousness, aligning our lives with His Word. Friends of God live differently because they choose to walk in agreement with Him.

6. Selflessness and Sacrifice

Abraham demonstrated his willingness to sacrifice what was most precious to him—his son Isaac. This willingness to give up everything for God proved his deep loyalty and love for God.

Genesis 22:12 (NKJV): “And He said, ‘Do not lay your hand on the lad, or do anything to him; for now I know that you fear God since you have not withheld your son, your only son, from Me.’”

John 15:13 (NKJV): “Greater love has no one than this than to lay down one’s life for his friends.”

What it takes: Friendship with God means putting Him above all else, even when it requires personal sacrifice. God’s friends are willing to give up anything that He asks of them because they trust in His goodness and plan.

7. Alignment with God’s Heart and Purpose

Abraham’s heart aligned with God’s purposes. He wasn’t just concerned with his own life; he was willing to participate in God’s grand plan to bless the nations. God shared His intentions with Abraham, and Abraham acted according to God’s will.

Genesis 18:18-19 (NKJV): “Since Abraham shall surely become a great and mighty nation, and all the nations of the earth shall be blessed in him. For I have known him, in order that he may command his children and his household after him, that they keep the way of the Lord…”

John 15:15 (NKJV): “No longer do I call you servants, for a servant does not know what his master is doing; but I have called you friends…”

What it takes: Being a friend of God means aligning our lives with His purposes and being actively involved in His kingdom work. Friends of God care about what God cares about—His will, His people, and His mission.

Like Abraham, being a friend of God is not an automatic status for everyone. It is reserved for those who demonstrate faith, obedience, intimacy, reverence, righteousness, selflessness, and alignment with God’s purposes. Friendship with God requires commitment, trust, and willingness to sacrifice and walk in His ways. As we examine Abraham’s life, we see that friendship with God is an incredible privilege and a sacred responsibility.

God invites us to be His friends, but it requires more than words or songs—it takes a life lived in deep communion and obedience to Him. Are you ready to follow in Abraham's footsteps and cultivate that kind of friendship with God?