5.31.26 – Good Enemies

We finished the Sabbath day with a gathering of believers who truly want to be part of "the five" (Lev. 26:6–8). Yahweh was and is so good to us by giving us the privilege of coming together as a portion of the body of Christ and celebrating the victory that Messiah gave to us, along with the instructions on how to live that out (1 Cor. 15:57–58; Deut. 1–3).

Along this journey, individuals are going to find that all sorts of people are going to come against them (i.e., the world system, the religious systems, individuals with differing opinions). Though I would not consider the people coming against those individuals trying to keep the Torah-observant lifestyle as enemies in this instance, I do believe there are wonderful truths to apply from Yeshua's own words when He told us to "love your enemies, bless those cursing you, do well to those hating you, and pray for those abusing and persecuting you, so that you may be sons of your Father in heaven" (Matthew 5:43–44). On the flip side of that coin, if we reverse the roles—if we are being counted as enemies to the accusers—would it not make sense that we would be treated as Yeshua said? What is ironic about both sides of the coin is that it is the same coin; we are one body.

It may seem like a silly question, but I will ask it anyway. Do you believe that God is sovereign? Does He have His hand on every aspect of your life? If you answered "Yes," like I did, then you might be surprised at one of the implications: God picks your enemies according to your needs.

Did you think that your enemies were just accidental encounters, the result of bad karma, or a twist of fate? Not if God is sovereign. Your enemies are deliberately placed in the engineering of your life in order that God's glory might be accomplished in the process. That means they are exactly what you need to conform to the image of His dear Son.

Yeshua probably used the Hebrew word oyev. In the Greek text, the word is echthrous. While the Old Testament usage includes nations, apostates, the wicked, and all those opposed to Israel and Israel's God, this New Testament word focuses attention on the personal enemy—the one who is hostile to you, to your God, and to all things God desires for you to become greatest in the Kingdom. The ultimate example of the enemy is Satan, who unashamedly hates God.

Do you have enemies? If you are living according to God's point of view, you cannot avoid having enemies. Yeshua told us that if the world hated Him, it would also hate us. We should expect enemies. They are part of the plan. If you do not have enemies, you might want to question just how committed you are to God's holiness.

The amazing thing is not that you have enemies. Rather, it is that these enemies are hand-picked by Yahweh in order that you will have the opportunity to glorify Him. Let that sink in. Then you will know why (and how) you are to pray for your enemies. You can start by thanking God for them. They are the sharpening stones of your sanctification. Then you can bless them. They are God's creatures, desperately in need of His grace. Then you can lift them up before His throne, earnestly interceding on their behalf that they will find the true comfort of their souls. Finally, you can offer yourself as the sacrifice needed to rescue them. Who knows your enemies better than you? Your presence in their lives is no accident. You carry the cross of their reconciliation.

We are all enemies until the Lord redeems us. We just do not want to be enemies like James 4:1–4. Remember that those who oppose you today only stand in the shoes you wore yesterday. If God can count you as a friend—you who so violently cast Him aside—how can you not embrace the one who stands where you were?

Something to think about!

Shalom,
Alan

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