GOOD PEOPLE CAN BECOME
UNCONSCIOUS ENEMIES OF GOD
An enemy is often regarded as someone who consciously tries to harm us. Satan is a. conscious enemy of God and of all truth seeking people - Mt 13:39. He thoughtfully and aggressively seeks to harm us. He may seek our destruction through open and obvious ways, but he also works in subtle ways. His best weapon probably is to plant small evil seeds in the hearts of men and women, allowing them to germinate in our minds through our ignorance or our carelessness. The Bible also talks about some that can be described as unconscious enemies. These persons may not have well thought-out evil intentions in their heart against Christians, but they nonetheless end up going against God's will and thus become enemies of the cross. They may be good moral people, but by improper attitudes and actions they can oppose God and His great cause. Consider the following:
ANYONE WHO REJECTS CHRIST'S LORDSHIP IS AN ENEMY OF GOD. Our Lord, in one of His parables, talked about certain citizens of a kingdom who were not obedient to the ruler, resisting and refusing to submit to his reign. The
Rulder told his servants, 'bring here these enemies of mine, who did not want me to reign over them, and slay them... "'-Lk.19:27. Jesus has "all
authority"-
--
Mt.28:18. Yet, it is a fact that not all acknowledge Him as Lord. How many folk do we know who are good citizens, religious, pay their taxes, etc., but who
resist Christ's will and authority? Probably many of these are considered friends, fellow-workers, students, even members of our family. Yet, when one tries to talk to them about the Lord, they know better than God, and "can't see why it should be that way;" that is, the way "it is written" in the Scriptures. They do not submit to Jesus as the "King of kings and Lord
of lords." They become unconscious enemies!
ANYONE WITH UNREPENTED & UNFORGIVEN SIN IS AN ENEMY. Before accepting Jesus we are enemies! The Bible says: "For
if when we were enemies we were reconciled to God through the death of His Son... " -
Rom.5:10. How, many people do we know who have not yet obeyed the gospel? They maybe sons,
daughters, brothers, sisters, or other relatives who are living their lives without any consideration at all for God or
Jesus. No doubt most are good, honest, hard working people. But God says, if their sins are not yet
forgiven through the blood of Jesus, they are enemies. This is a hard truth to accept, but it is part of God's truth, and a truth we must accept! Then there is the converted
person, a Christian, who continues to harbor sin in his or her heart. It does not have to be a "big" sin, it could be ANY SIN. If this sin continues and is not repented of, this person, a Christian, also becomes an enemy of God. If forgiveness is sought and gained, then this Christian again becomes a "friend of God" by virtue of Christ's blood and the desire to fellowship Him and His people.
ANYONE WHO MAKES THEMSELF A FRIEND OF THE WORLD. God says, "Whoever
therefore wants to be a friend of the world makes himself an enemy of God" - Jms.
4:4. Repentant and
baptized into Christ believers cannot hold hands with the world and expect to hold hands with God. It just doesn't work that way. Being a friend of the world makes one an enemy of God. Jesus said, "Either you are with Me, or you are
against Me"- Mt.12:30. God pleads, "Come out
from among them, and be separate...Do not touch what is unclean, and I will receive you..." - 2Cor.6:17.
BECOME A FRIEND OF GOD AND NO LONGER
BE REGARDED AS AN ENEMY. LE