WITNESSING TO YOUR ENEMIES

Jesus Christ has enemies.

There are those who are merely negative toward Christ but who are not otherwise pursuing an active hate campaign against Him.

At the other extreme are Satan himself and his force of fallen angels who wage a continuous active campaign to discredit the Lord and to bring down His kingdom.

Each Christian was at one time an enemy of Christ.  Romans 5:6-11 points out that we were reconciled to God while we were still enemies of Christ.

Every Christian has enemies.

These range from those who merely do not like us to those who actively try to harm us.

Every Christian is “in Christ” and is a member of the family of God.  Therefore, enmity toward a child of God is enmity toward God Himself. 

God wants every human being to become a believer in Christ and join His family.  So it is the paramount duty of Christians to manifest the proper attitude toward their personal enemies, in order to make their repentance and reconciliation with God the Father as easy as possible.  2 Cor. 5:17-21

To give us guidelines about the proper attitude we are to maintain toward our enemies, the Word of God makes numerous comments on the subject.  The following are some representative Bible statements and references.

The Bible commands believers to love all people.

Prov. 17:9; Matt. 7:1-5; Rom. 15:1; Gal. 6:1; 1 Pet. 4:8.

Lack of love for others is sinful.

Isa. 29:20,21; Acts 28:4; 1 Tim. 6:4

Bible examples of sinful vindictiveness.

Luke 9:54; John 18:10; Acts 23:12.

Christians are forbidden to judge others self-righteously.

Matt. 7:1-5; Rom. 2:1; 14:4,13

A Christian has a duty to his enemies.

Exod. 23:4,5; Prov. 24:17; 25:21,22; Matt. 5:44; Rom. 12:20

A Christian is forbidden to retaliate against his enemies.

Lev. 19:18; Prov. 20:22; 24:29; Rom. 12:17-21; 1 Pet. 3:9

Christians are commanded to be merciful to others.

Prov. 3:3; 11:7; Micah 6:8; Luke 6:36

Bible examples of lack of mercy.

Matt. 6:15; 18:28,35; Rom. 1:31; James 2:13

A Christian is commanded to forgive his enemies.

Matt. 6:14; Mark 11:25; Luke 11:4; 17:4; Eph. 4:32; Col. 3:13

Bible examples of a mature attitude of forgiveness.

Gen. 45:15; Acts 7:60

Vindictiveness, lack of mercy, lack of love, judging, revenge, and retaliation are condemned in the Word of God because such are not compatible with Grace.

A Christian is supposed to be a conduit of Grace to other people.  Out of his innermost being shall flow rivers of living water...

For an index of topics, or information about regular Bible studies, write to:

Warren Doud
Grace Notes
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Austin, Texas  78757
E-Mail: wdoud@bga.com
URL: http://www.realtime.net/~wdoud/

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