Thankful for Our Enemies

Thanksgiving

November 22, 2012

Thankful for Our Enemies

1 Timothy 2:1-4

In the name of Jesus. Amen.

Today Paul gives us some good advice: don't think about yourself all day long. Take time to consider the needs of other people and even pray for them. Paul tells us that

1 Timothy 2:2

requests, prayers, intercession, and thanksgiving be made for everyone.

And the apostle singles out for our consideration kings and all those in authority. As Americans we are proud that we have no king, but this doesn't prevent many Americans from viewing many in our government as enemies.

As Americans we are generally proud of the freedom we give to our children, but this doesn't stop lots of kids from resenting their parents and grandparents.

As Americans we celebrate our individual choice in matters of religion, and this often leads many to see their pastor as an enemy.

You may have a lot of enemies. Not just a neighbor who likes to argue over the fence about politics, but genuine bona fide enemies, people with power who seem to be out to get you.

How are you supposed to give thanks for enemies like that?

First, consider why Christ allows you to suffer under enemies who have authority over you. He doesn't smote our enemies with laser bolts because He wants you to run back to Him for strength and comfort.

Psalm 102:8

All day long my enemies taunt me;

those who rail against me use my name as a curse.

Psalm 46:1

[But] God is our refuge and strength,

an ever-present help in trouble.

Suppose Jesus did eliminate your most stubborn foes: the IRS agent who collects what you render unto Caesar, the pastor who won't condone your private sins, the parents who won't cave into your sulking. You'd be filled to the brim with arrogance, “Watch out, everybody, God does whatever I tell Him!” Wouldn't you become the most insufferable donkey on the planet? You'd no longer have any real friends because who'd want to risk making you mad. In short, enemies prevent us from falling in love with ourselves.

Second, Jesus allows enemies into our lives so that we don't fall in love with this world. This world is filled with genuine friends, genuine enemies, and a lot of people in the middle. Keep in mind that to most people, you are one of these middle people. Interacting with friends, foes, and middles can be exhausting!

Heaven is so very different. It is a place of peace. It is a place where friendship that can always be seen, because we will see Jesus with our own eyes. Christians long for the next world over this world because of the reality of our enemies here and now and because of the reality of Jesus' friendship now and forever. Jesus' enemies had it right when they called Him a "friend of sinners "(Luke 7:34).

John 15:13-15

Greater love has no one than this, that he lay down his life for his friends. You are my friends if you do what I command. I no longer call you servants, because a servant does not know his master’s business. Instead, I have called you friends, for everything that I learned from my Father I have made known to you.

As you give thanks today, take time to thank Christ for your parents and grandparents, for your bosses and managers, for your pastors and teachers, for those in the government, and yes, even for your enemies. The friends in our lives pull us back to their Source, our Forgiver and Provider of all good things, Jesus Christ.

And the enemies in our lives drive us back to our Refuge and Strength, our ever-present help when the whole world seems out to get us. Where else can we go, but to our Savior, Jesus Christ?

Dear friends, pray for everyone, even your enemies. Pray that they may be rescued from harm now and forever. Pray that you may be friends here and now. But also give thanks to the Lord for your enemies, because they keep you close to Him.

In the name of the Father and of the + Son and of the Holy Spirit. Amen.