A Friend of God: The Story of Abraham’s Walk

Be a Friend of God by Prophet G.O Ogo-Oluwa

Introduction

Abraham believed God, Genesis 15:6, and it was imputed unto him for righteousness: and he was
called the
Friend of God.” — James 2:23 What does it mean to be a friend of God? It means
walking closely
with Him — not out of fear, but out of faith, love, and understanding of His heart.
Abraham was not
just a servant of God; he was someone who knew God’s heart and responded to it
without being
told.

Chapter 1: Abraham — A Man Who Walked With God

Abraham’s story is far more than a tale of blessings, promises, or inheritance of
land. At its core, it is a story about relationship—a deep, personal connection with
the Creator. Long before there was a written law, before commands and rules,
Abraham walked closely with God, learning to trust and obey through fellowship
and faith.
When God said, “Go,” Abraham obeyed without hesitation. When God remained
silent, Abraham still trusted, believing in the unseen promises of the Lord. His
actions were not driven by fear, obligation, or expectation of reward; they were
driven by faith and understanding.
When Abraham witnessed God’s greatness and provision, he responded by giving
back—not because he was told to, but because he knew it pleased God. Every
decision, every step, reflected a heart tuned to God’s desires and purposes. This
kind of walk, rooted in faith and intimacy, is what made Abraham not just a
servant, but a friend of God.
Walking with God is not simply about following instructions; it is about knowing
His heart, responding to His guidance, and living in harmony with His will.
Abraham’s life shows us that true faith naturally produces obedience, generosity,
and trust.

Chapter 2: The First to Give Tithe Freely

After a victorious battle, Abraham gave a tenth of all he had to Melchizedek, the
priest of the Most High God. Remarkably, God had never commanded him to do
this beforehand. Abraham’s act was voluntary, a natural response of a heart that
walked closely with the Lord.
This story teaches us an important principle: when a person develops an intimate
relationship with God, they begin to understand His heart. Giving, serving, and
obeying are no longer burdensome tasks—they become expressions of love, trust,
and gratitude.
Abraham’s tithe was not an obligation; it was an act of worship. It reflected his
recognition that everything he possessed ultimately belonged to God and that
obedience comes from a willing and joyful heart, not from force or law.

Chapter 3: The Idol Breaker

Abraham was born into a world filled with idol worship. His family and
community served many gods, each carved and crafted by human hands. To choose
the true and living God, Abraham had to make a radical decision—he had to
break away from the old ways and confront the false gods that had filled his world.
Becoming a friend of God requires the same courage. It means being willing to
destroy every idol in your heart—anything that competes with God for your
attention, loyalty, or love. These idols may not always be physical objects; they
could be pride, wealth, comfort, ambition, or even fear. Anything that replaces
God’s rightful place must be removed so that a true, unhindered relationship with
Him can flourish.
Abraham’s life demonstrates that walking with God often requires bold, decisive
action. True faith sometimes means confronting what is familiar, comfortable, or
even sacred to others—but which cannot stand in the presence of God. By breaking
the idols in his life, Abraham showed that faith is not passive; it is active,
courageous, and transformative.
This is the first step toward friendship with God: a heart fully devoted, willing to
let go of anything that competes with Him

Chapter 4: Why Many Still Struggle Today

Even today, many people struggle to give or obey God, and it is often not because
they are unwilling, but because they have not yet truly experienced His heart.
When the heart does not know God intimately, obedience can feel like a burden,
and tithing or acts of service may seem like mere rules or traditions rather than an
expression of love.
Tithing is not just about following a law or meeting an obligation. It is about
trusting God, recognizing His provision, and responding with a willing and joyful
heart. When a person truly walks with God, obedience becomes natural. It flows
from a relationship built on love, faith, and understanding, rather than from fear,
pressure, or obligation.
Those who walk closely with God understand that giving, serving, and honoring
Him are not sacrifices in the negative sense—they are acts of worship. They
reflect the heart of someone who knows that God blesses faithfulness, not because
He demands it, but because He desires a loving and responsive relationship with
His children.
Walking with God transforms obedience from a chore into a joyful, trusting
response to His guidance, and this is what separates those who struggle from those
who experience true intimacy with Him.

Conclusion: God Still Seeks Friends

God called Abraham His friend not because of what he had, but because of his
faith, trust, and obedience. Abraham believed in God, gave freely, and walked
closely with Him every day. His life was a living testimony of what it means to
have a personal and intimate relationship with the Creator.
Even today, God is still looking for men and women who will walk with Him in
faith and sincerity, who will seek to understand His heart, and who will obey
willingly—not out of fear or obligation, but out of love and trust. God desires
friends who respond to Him with open hearts, who are willing to surrender their
own plans, and who live in a way that reflects His guidance and wisdom.
Being a friend of God is not about perfection or religious rituals. It is about
relationship, faith, and obedience—walking with Him daily, trusting His ways,
and letting His presence shape your life.
The question now is not about rules or tradition—it is personal:
Will you choose to be a friend of God?
Will you walk in faith, trust, and obedience, just as Abraham did, and let your life
reflect a heart fully surrendered to Him? The choice is yours, and God is patiently
waiting to call you His friend.