THOSE WHO LOVE THEIR ENEMIES

One age-long subject of controversy is whether a Christian should have enemies, but what safety are the scriptures?

' For the son dishonors the father, the daughter rises up against her mother, the daughter-in-law against her mother-in-law–a man's enemies are the men (members) of his own house. ' - Micah 7:6 (AMPC) [This concept is also echoed in Matt. 10:21, 35, 36; Mark 13:12, 13.]

Throughout the Bible, both the Old and New Testaments assume everyone knows they have enemies because God Himself has enemies. So, the writers, inspired by the Holy Spirit, spend enough time teaching us how to relate and thrive in the face of sometimes vicious opposition.

Jesus, our LORD, doesn't spend time clarifying whether we have enemies. Instead, he focuses on the internal and external posture that will help us prosper even with those enemies around.

Revenge is one of the strongest emotional drivers known to man. It can keep a half-dead man going for decades while they watch what should have been their posterity destroyed by their bitter lust.

Believers, however, can relieve themselves of ever carrying this burden by allowing God to rightfully assume the role of the avenger. It's important to remember that God doesn't take revenge but delivers recompense to satisfy the yearnings of justice.

' [Hark!] An uproar from the city! A voice from the temple! The voice of the Lord, rendering recompense to His enemies!' - Isaiah 66:6

That is why Jesus, the firstborn Christian, famously commands:

' to you who are listening now to Me: [in order to heed, make it a practice to] love your enemies, treat well (do good to, act nobly toward) those who detest you and pursue you with hatred, Invoke blessings upon and pray for the happiness of those who curse you, implore God's blessing (favor) upon those who abuse you [who revile, reproach, disparage, and high-handedly misuse you]. To the one who strikes you on the jaw or cheek, offer the other jaw or cheek also; and from him who takes away your outer garment, do not withhold your undergarment as well.' - Luke 6:27-29

• The unyielding and unrepentant enemies will face the full vengeance of God.

  
  

' The Lord will go forth like a mighty man, He will rouse up His zealous indignation and vengeance like a warrior; He will cry, yes, He will shout aloud, He will do mightily against His enemies.' - Isaiah 42:13

• God will fill your redeemable enemies with enough fear of you and your God that they'll bottle up all their hate and rage and maintain the peace.

  
  

' When a man's ways please the Lord, He makes even his enemies to be at peace with him.' - Proverbs 16:7.

This promise of peace from God should reassure and comfort us, as we know that focusing on pleasing God can transform even our enemies into allies.

Solomon, who wrote the proverb above, reigned over an expanded Jewish empire that spread from the Euphrates to the border of Egypt for forty years without a single war, be it civil or external. So, his assertion came from experience and knowledge of God's ways.

It is also worth noting that it appears to be God's strategic intention to keep enemies close to His people, as He uses these opposition figures to check and also mete out judgment on His erring children.

In conclusion, yes, we will have enemies from birth until death. Still, suppose we focus on pleasing God and outsourcing all forms of retribution to Him. In that case, we will have enough space in our hearts to love even the unlovable, ensuring that we enjoy all the goodness and prosperity God planned for us.

#Selah