Have any Enemies?

Yesterday, I was visiting with someone in the hospital.  As I was listening, the individual suddenly said, “You know, I have enemies.”  I replied, “You do?”  

Then the person went on to share some stories of how without any intention to hurt, something that was said was taken the wrong way by someone the person was very close to and despite many apologies and attempts to reconcile, it would seem they would never again be anything more than an enemy. 

Then the person looked at me and asked, “Do you have any enemies?”

“O, yes,” I said, “I have my share of enemies.” 

“Really?” the person asked.  “That makes me feel better.  I thought I was the only one.” 

I said, “It would seem we are in good company because even Jesus had enemies.”

John Wesley was known to ask his itinerant preachers two questions at their “annual review.”  He would ask: 1) How many people experienced salvation under your ministry?  2) How many people were offended by the gospel under your preaching?  It was said that if you did not give account to both questions, then he would relieve you of your duty.  He believed that the gospel of Christ leaves no room for indifference and that if it is truly being preached then people should either be drawn to Christ or made mad at the preacher (though the truth was, he would argue, their anger was grossly misdirected). 

Several years ago, I had to wrestle with what I would do with the reality that living for Jesus means I will have enemies both in and outside the church family.  Over the years and even now, I find Jesus instruction both helpful and convicting on this subject.

First, I am reminded that Jesus said, “Love your enemies and pray for those who persecute you” (Matthew 5:44).  It is very easy to allow hurt and bitterness to take root in the presence of an enemy.  But Jesus sees an enemy as an opportunity for love rather than an obstacle.

Next, I am reminded that an enemy is a blessing from God.  “Blessed are you when people insult you, persecute you and falsely say all kinds of evil against you because of me.  Rejoice and be glad, because great is your reward in heaven, for in the same way they persecuted the prophets who were before you” (Matthew 5:11-12).  As I hear some Christians in the USA call for us to rally to “defend our religious rights”, I wonder what they do with these words of Jesus?  Of course, more a more important question is what do you and I do with these words when they are not just words but reality?

Then I am reminded to take a good look in the mirror.  “Do not judge or you too will be judged.  For in the same way you judge others, you will be judged, and with the measure you use, it will be measured to you” (Mathew 7:1-2).  I don’t know about you, but it is easy for me to see myself above my enemy, but Jesus has a way of reminding us that at the foot of the cross we all stand as equals. 

Of course, I am also reminded to do my best to reach reconciliation with my enemy.  If someone has knowingly or unknowingly wronged me it is not their job to make it right, but mine.  Matthew 18:15-20 spells it out very plainly.  Could our refusal to do this be one of the greatest sins of the church today including ours?

Finally, and, of course, there are many more that prove to be helpful and convicting to me, but for now it seems a good place to stop is at Romans 12:18, “If it is possible, as far as it depends on you, live at peace with everyone.”  Sometimes you can do all that you can do on your side to turn an enemy to a friend and they will chose to remain an enemy.  At times like that, those words from Romans are very encouraging.

So, as my friend in the hospital asked me, I now ask you, “Do you have any enemies?”