BRIGHTON CHURCH OF CHRIST
Polite notice: We are currently working to enhance our website for a better user experience. During this process, you may encounter some temporary issues with functionality or accessibility. We apologize for any inconvenience this may cause.
Enemy Or Ally?
God expects us to make a distinction between truth and error. Unfortunately, many people are not making the distinction. Whether it is due to friendships, or other associations, we find many trying to stay “allies” with all and “enemies” to none.
​
Jesus said this is not possible to be allies to all and enemies to none. In fact, even the world knows this is not possible. Christ said, “If the world hates you, know that it has hated me before it hated you. If you were of the world, the world would love you as its own; but because you are not of the world, but I chose you out of the world, therefore the world hates you” (Jn. 15:18-19). If we are living as Christ would have us live, we cannot be friends with the world.
The apostle Paul knew that Christians should “be separate” from the world. He asked, “What partnership has righteousness with lawlessness? Or what fellowship has light with darkness? What accord has Christ with Belial? Or what portion does a believer share with an unbeliever? What agreement has the temple of God with idols? For we are the temple of the living God” (II Cor. 6:14-16).
​
Who are our enemies? Who are our allies? The Bible shows us that choosing in one category automatically decides the other category! James made this distinction clear when he wrote, “Friendship with the world is enmity with God .... Whoever wishes to be a friend of the world makes himself an enemy of God” (Jas. 4:4). In like manner, Jesus told His followers, “No one can serve two masters, for either he will hate the one and love the other, or he will be devoted to the one and despise the other” (Matt. 6:24). Therefore, our enemies are determined by who we choose as allies, and vice versa. So, what is YOUR choice? Choose wisely, as some choices we may only get to make once!
​
Jarrod Jacobs
More Reading...
Hezekiah's Prayer
At one point, when Assyria was threatening Jerusalem, Sennacherib, king of Assyria, realized he could not afford a long battle...