Re: Verse reading–Psalm 69 (day seven)
“Those who hate me without reason outnumber the hairs of my head.” (vs 4) Are Christians paranoid? Do we imagine the hostility of the world? Make it worse than it really is? Are we just “whiners” believing media and government to be biased against us? Not always. No. The long testimony of history is that “this world is no friend to grace.” The very life of the church and the testimony of the Spirit is convicting to the natural man. (see John 16:8) In mild ostracism and overt persecution, the man who lives apart from God reacts to the person who walks with Him. Something dark is at work here. On His last night, Jesus said, “You know that (the world) hated me before it hated you. If you were of the world, the world would love you, but . . .I chose you out of the world.” (John 15:18-19) Make us courageous and kind, Lord. The opposition is real.
My experience is that when you are looking at your “enemies”… you are not then looking at the Lord who created and loves dearly that enemy. You are missing the point. First, look to the Lord and then let Him tell you how to serve/love your enemies. (I am preaching mainly to me here).
Mostly… it seems to me…people are considered “enemies” because they in some way block our personal/selfish objectives. There ARE those who are enemies of Christ and if we are truly displaying Christ in our lives, will hate us. However, what a privilege and honor to be so much like our Lord that someone would hate us for His sake!
The worst part of the whole “enemies” concept is when it plays out in the church.
In 2 Thess 3 Paul has some hard words for Christians not following the instructions of him/the Lord. Yet, even then, Paul specifically says do not treat them as enemies. Rather, Now we who are strong ought to bear the weaknesses of those without strength and not just please ourselves. Each of us is to please his neighbor for his good, to his edification. For even Christ did not please Himself; but as it is written, “The reproaches of those who reproached You fell on Me.” For whatever was written in earlier times was written for our instruction, so that through perseverance and the encouragement of the Scriptures we might have hope. Now may the God who gives perseverance and encouragement grant you to be of the same mind with one another according to Christ Jesus, so that with one accord you may with one voice glorify the God and Father of our Lord Jesus Christ.
Therefore, accept one another, just as Christ also accepted us {even while we were still sinners Rom 5:8} to the glory of God. For I say that Christ has become a SERVANT to the circumcision on behalf of the truth of God to confirm the promises given to the fathers, and for the Gentiles to glorify God for His mercy…. ” (Rom 15)
Father, I want us all to have this sort of life. One that glorifies You and serves/loves those You Love!! Amen.