There have always been those in abundance who for varied reasons have chosen the path of opportunistic and insatiably hateful conflict, fiercely committed to such, or simply serving as gullible naifs enlisted by those who lead the weak of mind and character into godless warfare against others. Such persistent and egregious efforts seeking to bring the minds, and hearts of God’s children into bitter subjugation through personal offense, are what most believers would hope that God would eliminate completely from day to day life. The instrumentality of enemies within our lives is mostly loathed and passionately resisted.
What our lives come to look like, is not nearly as much the result of how we respond, if at all, to the things that we view with indifference or take for granted, but much more the product of what we allow the Holy Spirit and the Word of God to raise up from within the minced heart and brokenness that come through the wounds inflicted by an enemy.
Both scriptural and secular history clearly demonstrate that the church has never shone more brilliantly in the likeness of Christ than in times of ill treatment. The focused and calculated efforts of an enemy, in spite of Satan’s designs, serves to draw forth the character of Christ that indwells every born again believer.
The life of God flows powerfully through wounded-ness, even at the hands of an enemy. The Gospel has never been more compelling than when the character of Christ within triumphs over a sense of victimization and the love of God empowers personal forgiveness, affording grace and mercy where it it would not be due, if not for the Law of Grace being greater than the Law of retribution.
We ultimately have one enemy and we do not war in flesh and blood.
Matthew 5:44-46
44 But I say, love your enemies! Pray for those who persecute you! 45 In that way, you will be acting as true children of your Father in heaven. For he gives his sunlight to both the evil and the good, and he sends rain on the just and the unjust alike. 46 If you love only those who love you, what reward is there for that?…..
What our lives come to look like, is not nearly as much the result of how we respond, if at all, to the things that we view with indifference or take for granted, but much more the product of what we allow the Holy Spirit and the Word of God to raise up from within the minced heart and brokenness that come through the wounds inflicted by an enemy.
Both scriptural and secular history clearly demonstrate that the church has never shone more brilliantly in the likeness of Christ than in times of ill treatment. The focused and calculated efforts of an enemy, in spite of Satan’s designs, serves to draw forth the character of Christ that indwells every born again believer.
The life of God flows powerfully through wounded-ness, even at the hands of an enemy. The Gospel has never been more compelling than when the character of Christ within triumphs over a sense of victimization and the love of God empowers personal forgiveness, affording grace and mercy where it it would not be due, if not for the Law of Grace being greater than the Law of retribution.
We ultimately have one enemy and we do not war in flesh and blood.
Matthew 5:44-46
44 But I say, love your enemies! Pray for those who persecute you! 45 In that way, you will be acting as true children of your Father in heaven. For he gives his sunlight to both the evil and the good, and he sends rain on the just and the unjust alike. 46 If you love only those who love you, what reward is there for that?…..
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