Whose Friend or Enemy Are You?

The word “enemy” is quite strong and none of us want enemies. We will go out of our way not to provoke or incite people so as not to have enemies. So, why don’t we do the same for God? Many ignore Him and His will, not even worrying about making themselves enemies of God.

I suspect that most people simply don’t think about God when making decisions and living their lives. But many of those who do think about God probably think He is so loving that He wouldn’t ever consider anyone His enemy (well, at least not them!). But they are wrong! In Acts 13:10, someone was called a “child of the devil” and an “enemy of all righteousness.” Why did he get these labels? Because he did “…not cease to pervert the right ways of the Lord”. Pervert what the Lord says is right – say something is right when it’s not, act like something isn’t wrong when God says it is – and you are an enemy of all righteousness!

It is difficult for most people to see themselves as an actual enemy of God. We think of the worst of the worst, those who deny or curse God, those who are terribly immoral or violent, as God’s enemies. However, James wrote:

“…Do you not know that fellowship with the world is enmity with God? Whoever wants to be a friend of the world makes himself an enemy of God” James 4:4

One who wants to be a friend of the world, who wants to look like the world, talk like the world, act like the world, or fit in and blend in with the world, makes himself an enemy of God. Notice James said, “Whoever therefore wants to be…” You don’t even have to be a friend of the world yet, but if you just want to be a friend of the world you are an enemy of God! Whose friend we want to be decides whose enemy we are!

God news! Even if we have been God’s enemies, we can be reconciled (made friends again). “And you, who once were alienated and enemies in your mind by wicked works, yet now He has reconciled in the body of His flesh through death, to present you holy, and blameless, and irreproachable in His sight” (Co 1:21-22). As sinners, we must see sin as alienating us from God, as declaring war on God’s righteousness, and making us enemies of God. That’s a war we can’t win. So, surrender and through forgiveness in Christ be reconciled today.  dd