04enmity Persists

Chapter 4

Enmity Persists For Satan to fulfill his desire to control and destroy God’s creation he uses God's creation against itself; he pits man against man. Satan cannot wield an earthly weapon, for he is a spirit. He cannot kill, steal from, rape, torture or any such thing. He must work in man to accomplish his evil purposes. One of his greatest deceptions is manifested in a person’s need to control others. Fear of being outdone, overstepped, and/or “out-performed,” even by a fellow believer, absorbs many hours of waking thought, and very often, no effort is too great to expend, if “victory” (over the other person) can be gained. Because their efforts are misapplied, they lean on their own understanding and thoughts are centered on self. They often perceive that everyone is “out to get them.” Life’s cares, perplexities and sorrows, the faults of others, even their own faults and imperfections, gain their attention, their mind is diverted from Christ, and they fall. The very attempt to rise above others (and remain there) becomes their vehicle downward. Enmity persists. They overlook or ignore the Scriptures which state, “They are exalted for a little while, but are gone and brought low; they are taken out of the way as all other, and cut off as the tops of the ears of corn.” (Job 24:24) They fail to realize that, “…many that are first shall be last; and the last shall be first.” (Matthew 19:30) or that, “…the last shall be first, and the first last: for many be called, but few chosen.” (Matthew 20:16) And “If any man desire to be first, the same shall be last of all, and servant of all.” or “…he that is greatest among you shall be your servant. 12 And whosoever shall exalt himself shall be abased; and he that shall humble himself shall be exalted.” (Matthew 23:11 & 12) It is Satan’s aspiration to be exalted, (Isaiah 14:12-15) and anyone found exalting self, is doing the work of the deceiver, the accuser of the brethren, and consequently are yielded to evil enmity. Unknowingly, many find themselves on the side of the enemy. Hoping to attach themselves to a “winner,” they are drawn into a battle for which they are not equipped; one that, while seeming to be for a right cause, leads only to their own self-deceit and ultimate defeat. Without a consistent, constant study of Scripture, none will be able to withstand the fiery darts of the wicked one, nor will they be able to overcome his earthly agents and devises. Only the one who relies on the sure Word of Truth can safely travel across the great gulf of Sin that separates him/her from God and His righteousness. Be not deceived, “Be sober [serious] be vigilant [alert]; because your adversary the devil, as a roaring lion, walketh about, seeking whom he may devour:” (1Peter 5:8) Do not be mislead by his devices. Agents of Satan, when placed in positions of trust, become very trustworthy in his army. They are, however, very untrustworthy in regards to their fellow human beings. The turning of words, the misapplication of phrases uttered in their presence, are all seen as opportunities to further establish their control. Spuriously, they manipulate and urge their convincing views upon others to gain support of their own opinions. Those who do not readily discern tricky reasoning and antithetical1 sophistries 2 are unknowingly added to Satan’s list of victims. In the very end, some victims, discovering that their allegiance has been sorely misplaced, try to recoup and compensate for their failure to detect deception, only to find themselves victims of another kind, suffering the enmitic wrath, that Satan now turns against them. Such is the reward for serving Satan, the loser. But for those who surrender to the goodness of God, which leadeth to repentance, the devices of Satan are made manifest and God can then guide His people through and around them. His people are renewed daily and given insight into the results and manifestations of evil enmity and more and more each day they learn to hate Sin and love their fellow man with which they share their plight. They will especially love their fellow sisters and brethren in the faith, but also, and more importantly, even their enemies. They learn to love their neighbors as themselves. After all, God is the Victor, and He will ultimately prevail. And the culmination of the plan of salvation is the final destruction and elimination of Sin and evil enmity. There will be NO enmity in heaven because there will be no Sin with which to be at enmity. Until then, we are to rest and find peace in the fact that the head of the serpent has been crushed, and his death is sure; enmity has been abolished by the death of Christ and in Heaven the hosts know that soon there will be peace in Heaven. 1 2

Antithetical means inconsistent, contrary, antagonistic, divisive, and always ready to oppose. Sophistries means persuasive philosophies (usually centered on man), tricky reasoning by way of misconception, often involves deception. 13

On Earth, however, evil enmity persists. Why? It can only exist if we allow it to, and Sin can only be overcome in our lives as we turn to the one who has already overcome. "To him that overcometh will I grant to sit with me in my throne, even as I also overcame, and am set down with my Father in his throne." 22 He that hath an ear, let him hear what the Spirit saith unto the churches." Revelation 3:21 Although it sounds redundant, we allow the enmity within to persist because of the enmity that exists within. Our sinful nature feeds our sinful nature. We are born of the flesh…carnal…and the carnal mind is not subject to the law of God. We must choose to be subject to the law of God…the Law of Love. As stated in Romans 13:10, “Love worketh no ill to his neighbour: therefore love is the fulfilling of the law.” It is God's will that we love one another and “worketh no ill.” That is why He sent his Son to abolish the enmity and break down the “middle wall of partition between us” Ephesians 2:14 He not only broke down the partition between our neighbors and us, but also between Him and us. We can befriend him now…We can come boldly before His throne of grace, that we may obtain mercy, and find grace to help in time of need." Hebrew 4:16 We need not be afraid of One Who is so loving and kind as to give His only Begotten Son. He desires that we submit our will to Him, that he might work in us, both to will and to do of His good pleasure." Philippians 2:13 For we know that all good things work together for them who love God, to them who are the called according to his purpose." Romans 8:28 The diligent Bible student will constantly, consistently increase in knowledge and discernment. His intellect will grasp elevated subjects and lay hold of the truth of eternal realities. His motives of action will be changed and He will become established in what is right, doing what is right, just because it is right, without regard to receiving credit, praise or reward. He will use his talents of influence to help others to understand more perfectly their God-given responsibilities. His heart will be a wellspring of joy as he sees success attend his efforts to impart to others the blessings he has received. Remembering always, It is God who is doing the work, and the man/woman is only an instrument in God’s hands. Again see Philippians 2:13. The spirit of unselfish labor for others gives depth, stability, and Christ-like loveliness to the character, and brings peace and joy to its possessor. The aspirations are elevated. There is no room for sloth, idleness or selfishness. Those who thus exercise the Christian graces will grow and become strong workers for the Lord. Their spiritual perceptions will become heightened and clear and provide for a steady, growing faith, and an increased power in prayer. The Spirit of God, moving upon their spirit, calls forth the sacred harmonies of the soul in answer to the divine touch. Those who thus devote themselves to unselfish effort for the good of others are most surely working out their own salvation with fear and trembling. The fear and trembling will not be for themselves, however; for their salvation is sure as they continue to follow Christ. The fear and trembling is for those who do not know that there is a loving Father Who gave His only begotten Son, that we should not perish, but have eternal life. The only way to grow in grace is to be disinterestedly doing the very work which Christ has enjoined upon us – to engage, to the extent of our ability, in helping and blessing those who need the help we can give them. Strength comes by exercise; activity is the very condition of life. Those who endeavor to maintain a Christian life by passively accepting the blessings that come through the means of grace, doing nothing for Christ through service to their fellow man, are simply trying to live by eating without working. And in the spiritual as in the natural world, this always results in degeneration and decay. A man who would refuse to exercise his limbs would soon lose all power to use them. Thus, the Christian, who will not exercise his God-given powers and talents, not only fails to grow up into Christ, but also loses the strength that he had already gained. The enmity that Christ “put” between the Serpent and the woman is perfectly reflected in those who “lay down their lives for the brethren.” In giving ourselves to God, we must necessarily give up all that would separate us from Him. Hence the Saviour says, "Whosoever he be of you that forsaketh not all that he hath, he cannot be My disciple." Luke 14:33 Whatever shall draw away the heart from God must be given up. Mammon is the idol of many. The love of money, the desire for wealth, is the deteriorating chain that binds them to Satan. Reputation and worldly honor are worshiped by another class. The life of selfish ease and freedom from responsibility is the idol of others. Idleness is another, seemingly insignificant, deterrent to living a life in Christ. But these slavish bands must be broken. We cannot belong half to the Lord and half to the world. We are not God's children unless we are His entirely. 14

Evil enmity persists because we allow it to persist. We are admonished in James 4:6-10, “But he giveth more grace. Wherefore he saith, God resisteth the proud, but giveth grace unto the humble. 7 Submit yourselves therefore to God. Resist the devil, and he will flee from you. 8 Draw nigh to God, and he will draw nigh to you. Cleanse your hands, ye sinners; and purify your hearts, ye double minded. 9 Be afflicted, and mourn, and weep: let your laughter be turned to mourning, and your joy to heaviness. 10 Humble yourselves in the sight of the Lord, and he shall lift you up.” Oh! the power of God that resides in this short passage. Evil enmity persists because we do not resist the devil and we cannot resist the devil unless we, first, submit ourselves to God. We are told that we are to “Draw nigh to God, and He “will” draw nigh to you [us].” When we, by the power of the Holy Spirit, “cleanse” our hands, “purify” our hearts, “afflict” ourselves, “mourn” and “weep,” humbling ourselves in the sight of the Lord, then, He can lift us up. The things we used to laugh at and the things in which we used to find joy, are to become as mourning and heaviness. There are those who profess to serve God, while relying upon their own efforts to obey His law. Loving their fellow man fulfills His law. When we are told in 1John 4:20 & 21, “If a man say, I love God, and hateth his brother, he is a liar: for he that loveth not his brother whom he hath seen, how can he love God whom he hath not seen? 21 And this commandment have we from him, That he who loveth God love his brother also.” Because they do not find it in their hearts to reach out and meet the needs of the needy, they are denying the very instrumentality that God has appointed for their salvation, loving one another. As we are told in Galatians 5:13&13, “…brethren, ye have been called unto liberty; only use not liberty for an occasion to the flesh, but by love serve one another. 14 For all the law is fulfilled in one word, even in this; Thou shalt love thy neighbour as thyself.” IF they do not choose to Loce God in the way by God has appointed, then they can only be trying to save themselves. By their own efforts they attempt to form right characters, and secure salvation. Their hearts are not moved by any deep sense of the love of Christ, but they seek to perform the duties of the Christian life as that which God requires of them in order to gain heaven. Such religion is worth nothing, if it cannot be awakened to the true meaning and importance of service. When Christ dwells in the heart, the soul will be so filled with His love and with the joy of communion with Him, that it will cleave to Him; and in the contemplation of Him, self will be forgotten. The love of Christ will become the springboard for consecrated action and the soul will live in the light of Jesus’ love. Those who are constrained by love of God, do not ask how little may be given to meet the requirements of God; they do not ask for the lowest standard, but aim at perfect conformity to the will of their Redeemer. With earnest desire they yield all and manifest an interest of becoming all that they can become in Christ, proportionate to the value of the goal that they seek. A profession of Christ without this deep love is mere talk, dry formality, and heavy drudgery. “…having a from of godliness, but denying the power thereof.” (2Timothy 3:5) We are told that Evil will persist until the very end, and Sin will reign to some degree until the next coming of our Lord and Saviour, Jesus the Christ. However, just because Sin continues to grow in the world and evil does persist, it need not gain the victory Where sin abounds, grace does much more abound and victory over Sin and evil are possible, for we are told in Galatians 1:3&4, “Grace be to you and peace from God the Father, and from our Lord Jesus Christ, Who gave himself for our sins, that he might deliver us from this present evil world, according to the will of God and our Father:” This can be read to mean that Jesus will save us “from this present evil world” at His second coming, and that is surely a true statement. But this scripture must not be made to support a limitation on the power of God to save to the uttermost. Sin may persist, but God is even more persistent, knowing that if He can but get us to see how sinful Sin is (Romans 7:13) and taste of His goodness that leads to repentance, the effect it has on us will be eternal. “Greater is he that is in you, that he that is in the world.” Titus 2:11-15, 15

“…the grace of God that bringeth salvation hath appeared to all men, 12 Teaching us that, denying ungodliness and worldly lusts, we should live soberly, righteously, and godly, in this present world; 13 Looking for that blessed hope, and the glorious appearing of the great God and our Saviour Jesus Christ; 14 Who gave himself for us, that he might redeem us from all iniquity, and purify unto himself a peculiar people, zealous of good works. 15 These things speak, and exhort, and rebuke with all authority. Let no man despise thee.” Salvation is not only, eternal life in Heaven with Jesus, even more significantly, it is victory over sin; living soberly, righteously, and godly in “this present world.” Is it possible? Most say it is not? To be honest with ourselves and to have any real assurance of salvation, each of us must ask ourselves questions, such as: What is victory and is it possible? What does overcoming as He overcame mean? What does it mean when we say, “I’m not sure if we can overcome in this world, or not?” If we are uncertain regarding the answers to these questions, then we are admitting, “…Ye [we] do err, not knowing the scriptures, nor the power of God.” Although this particular text referred to the ignorance of the Sadducees regarding the resurrection, it can also be applied here, if in fact we are questioning the power of God to save us “from” our sins. We cannot and must not attempt to save ourselves, for “to save your [our] life, is to lose it.” If we are not sure whether we can resist the devil, and even make him flee, then we need to read and consider the texts that plainly teach us in 1John 3:1-11 to, “Behold, what manner of love the Father hath bestowed upon us, that we should be called the sons of God: therefore the world knoweth us not, because it knew him not. 2 Beloved, now are we the sons of God, and it doth not yet appear what we shall be: but we know that, when he shall appear, we shall be like him; for we shall see him as he is. 3 And every man that hath this hope in him purifieth himself, even as he is pure. 4 Whosoever committeth sin transgresseth also the law: for sin is the transgression of the law. 5 And ye know that he was manifested to take away our sins; and in him is no sin. 6 Whosoever abideth in him sinneth not: whosoever sinneth hath not seen him, neither known him. 7 Little children, let no man deceive you: he that doeth righteousness is righteous, even as he is righteous. 8 He that committeth sin is of the devil; for the devil sinneth from the beginning. For this purpose the Son of God was manifested, that he might destroy the works of the devil. 9 Whosoever is born of God doth not commit sin; for his seed remaineth in him: and he cannot sin, because he is born of God. 10 In this the children of God are manifest, and the children of the devil: whosoever doeth not righteousness is not of God, neither he that loveth not his brother. 11 For this is the message that ye heard from the beginning, that we should love one another. (emphasis added.) We are also warned, by negative example, in 2Peter 2:9-17 that, “The Lord knoweth how to deliver the godly out of temptations, and to reserve the unjust unto the day of judgment to be punished: 10 But chiefly them that walk after the flesh in the lust of uncleanness, and despise government. Presumptuous are they, selfwilled, they are not afraid to speak evil of dignities. 11 Whereas angels, which are greater in power and might, bring not railing accusation against them before the Lord. 12 But these, as natural brute beasts, made to be taken and destroyed, speak evil of the things that they understand not; and shall utterly perish in their own corruption; 13 And shall receive the reward of unrighteousness, as they that count it pleasure to riot in the day time. Spots they are and blemishes, sporting themselves with their own deceivings while they feast with you; 14 Having eyes full of adultery, and that cannot cease from sin; beguiling unstable souls: an heart they have exercised with covetous practices; cursed children: 15 Which have forsaken the right way, and are gone astray, following the way of Balaam the son of Bosor, who loved the wages of unrighteousness; 16 But was rebuked for his iniquity: the dumb ass speaking with man's voice forbad the madness of the prophet. 17 These are wells without water, clouds that are carried with a tempest; to whom the mist of darkness is reserved for ever.” Speaking of prophecy in regard to the last days, Peter teaches that there will be those who “cannot cease from sin.” But the Bible just as clearly teaches that there will be those who can and will cease from Sin. This, of course, can only be done by the power of God, through the working of His Holy Spirit, but the Bible teaches that it is possible. “…let no man deceive you: he that doeth righteousness is righteous, even as he is righteous.” In a positive example we are taught in Daniel 12:10, 16

“Many shall be purified, and made white, and tried; but the wicked shall do wickedly: and none of the wicked shall understand; but the wise shall understand.” And Revelation 7:14b reveals to us how this is to be accomplished, “…These are they which came out of great tribulation, and have washed their robes, and made them white in the blood of the Lamb.” “Finally, be ye all of one mind, having compassion one of another, love as brethren, be pitiful, be courteous: 9 Not rendering evil for evil, or railing for railing: but contrariwise blessing; knowing that ye are thereunto called, that ye should inherit a blessing. 10 For he that will love life, and see good days, let him refrain his tongue from evil, and his lips that they speak no guile: 11 Let him eschew evil, and do good; let him seek peace, and ensue it. 12 For the eyes of the Lord are over the righteous, and his ears are open unto their prayers: but the face of the Lord is against them that do evil.” (1Peter 3:8) “These are they which were not defiled with women; for they are virgins. These are they which follow the Lamb whithersoever he goeth. These were redeemed from among men, being the firstfruits unto God and to the Lamb. 5 And in their mouth was found no guile: for they are without fault before the throne of God. (Revelation 14:4&5) All through the Holy Word of God we are admonished, by the mercies of God, to present our bodies a living sacrifice, holy, acceptable unto God, which is our reasonable service. And we are further counseled to not be conformed to this world: but transformed by the renewing of our minds, that we may prove what is that good, and acceptable, and perfect, will of God. (Romans 12:1-3)

17