As we continue our study, let’s now look at the best part of an enemy coming against you. It gives you a unique opportunity to reveal who you truly are.
Not in that sassy, “they are going to find out today, who they’re dealing with,” tone that you see in movies or may have used grown up. Rather, the scripture tells us in Matthew 5:44-45 that,
“But I say unto you, Love your enemies, bless them that curse you, do good to them that hate you, and pray for them which despitefully use you, and persecute you; That ye may be the children of your Father which is in heaven…”
This says that your behavior towards someone mistreating you is an opportunity to prove you are a child of God.
This is what I realized was my challenge. I realized that because I was being purposefully mistreated, I was now expected to behave like a true Christian every time, and honestly, I didn’t like it! I wanted to behave badly, respond like the world, it was much easier to do. I certainly would be justified because anyone looking at the situation would agree with me, except God. He had already laid out in scripture what He expected me to do when face-to-face with my enemies.
I remember the moment I chose to pray instead of fume. I remember specifically the change in me, the moment I let all of what I wanted to say and do slip out of my mind and turned to pray to bless my enemy. There was a definite shift, but I felt it in me. I felt the God in me rising up. I felt the fear of God come over me for my enemy because they truly had no idea who they were messing with. I felt the earnest cry of Jesus on that cross when he said, “Father, forgive them for they know not what they do.” They didn’t know who they were crucifying just like my enemy didn’t realize who they were messing with. I felt God’s vengeance rising up against the enemy and I felt pity for them. I realized that God’s vengeance is surly a fierce thing to be subject to. I knew in an instance that I needed God to be merciful to that person…and in that I proved I was His Child!
I felt the difference! I experienced the blessing for behaving like my Father and not the world. These opportunities give us a chance to prove who we are, and we must make the most of them.
Father,
Help us all today face our enemies like you would. Help us to bless them, do good to them and love them. Help us to use these opportunities to reveal that we are your children.
In Jesus’ name,
Amen