Mature Christianity

“We may not be able to prevent other people from being our enemies, but we can prevent ourselves from being enemies toward others.” ~ Warren Wiersbe

Reading the above quote a little bit ago reminded me of a portion of our Bible time this morning with the following verses:

“And Saul saw and knew that the LORD was with David, and that Michal Saul’s daughter loved him. And Saul was yet the more afraid of David; and Saul became David’s enemy continually.” I Samuel 18:28,29

The above verse says that “Saul became David’s enemy continually”. It does not say that “David became Saul’s enemy…”. Because of an envy-driven King Saul, David found himself running for his life. Yet, despite opportunities to retaliate, David continued to show mercy. David refused to seek vengeance on “the Lord’s anointed”.

As in David’s life, we cannot control how others choose to perceive us. We can only control how we respond to as well as perceive others. When faced with “difficult people”, we need to, first of all, remember our own times of being difficult. But then, in the worst-case scenario, that person has “become” our enemy…by their own choosing. How are we to respond to them? Do we “become” their enemy as well? No. Matthew 5:44 reminds us of the Christ-like response – “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;” 

Though much easier said than done at times, this is mature Christianity…

“For if ye love them which love you, what reward have ye? do not even the publicans the same? And if ye salute your brethren only, what do ye more than others? do not even the publicans so? Be ye therefore perfect, even as your Father which is in heaven is perfect.”  Matthew 5:46-48

~ Rachel ~