Enemies
Romans 5:10 NKJV — For if when we were enemies we were reconciled to God through the death of His Son, much more, having been reconciled, we shall be saved by His life.
What is an Enemy?
In the Bible an, enemy is an adversary. Usually hate is involved.
Who are the Lord’s Enemies?
1. We were enemies before we were saved. We had our own mind. We wanted to be in charge. We wanted to justify ourselves. We did not want to subject ourselves to the God who created us. This started with Adam and Eve and it hasn’t improved over the years. But God has found a way to reconcile us to Himself. We who were enemies are now His Saints (or Holy Ones). He calls us His friends.
2. The self-righteous Jews were HIs enemies. They delivered Him to be crucified because of their envy. Even Pilate understood this. We read in Mark 15:10, “For he knew that the chief priests had handed Him over because of envy.”
Why were they envious? Apparently, it was because the crowds were following the Lord. He was getting the honor that they wanted. They wanted the people to bow to them because of their position. The Lord was being given honor because of his ability to heal and because of His teaching. Envy is a powerful thing. It didn’t matter that the Lord was able to feed the multitudes, heal the lepers, and raise the dead. The chief priests wanted to be the chief and destroying such a national resource in order to maintain their control over the people was perfectly acceptable to them.
3. Satan is the great adversary of the Lord and of those who worship the Lord. He tested Job. He tested the Lord after His 40 days in the wilderness. He is the god of this world (2 Corinthians 4:4). His defeat is certain but he seems to win some battles. He sows tares (unbelievers who look a lot like believers) among the wheat (believers). See Matthew 13:39.
Whose Side are We On?
Before we were saved we were blinded by the god of this age who is Satan. We were deceived. We rebelled against the authority of the Lord. We questioned the clear instructions given to us in the Bible. But once we “repented and believed,” that is, once we submitted to what God had said about our sin and trusted in the sacrificial death of the Lord Jesus, we who were enemies were reconciled (brought into agreement) with God. We are now His ambassadors, not His enemies (2 Corinthians 5:20).
The Problem
As we have seen, Satan plants tares in the wheat. That is, there are those in the world who pretend to be Christians who are still doing the work of Satan, the adversary. Paul had to face it and we have to face it. Paul says in Philippians 3:17-19, “Brethren, join in following my example, and note those who so walk, as you have us for a pattern. For many walk, of whom I have told you often, and now tell you even weeping, that they are the enemies of the cross of Christ, whose end is destruction, whose god is their belly, and whose glory is in their shame—who set their mind on earthly things.” Paul was able to use himself as an example of what a true Christian should be. Obviously, he was willing to sacrifice himself for the sake of the Gospel. He didn’t ask others to sacrifice themselves for him.
I trust that we are all serving as ambassadors and are no longer enemies of the cross. And I trust that we are able to discern those about whom Paul warns us. He warns us with regard to men like Diotrephes (3 John 9), and with regard to those like Hymenaeus and Alexander (1 Timothy 1:20). Paul mentions false brethren and false apostles. Peter mentions false teachers. We could go on and on. Fortunately, the gates of hell will not prevail against the church (Matthew 16:18). But let us make sure we are on the right side of the battle that is going on for the souls of men and women.
Bruce Collins
Meditation for the week of August 1, 2021