If you are a true follower of Christ, you will have enemies. A lot of enemies.
This isn’t a popular idea.
Many Christians seem more intent on fitting into culture, or at least getting its affirmation, than opposing it. And the entire idea of being an enemy, or having one, seems out of sync with the Christ life.
But it isn’t.
Jesus made it very clear that He did not come to bring peace but a sword. Little wonder His own life did not end with a coronation but rather a crucifixion.
The apostle Paul talked about open spiritual warfare in his letter to Ephesians.
The Bible speaks plainly about the “god” of this fallen world, and it is Satan himself.
So why is there such a great temptation for Christians today to opt for a popular stance instead of a prophetic one?
For many, there is such a bitter taste in their mouth from the caustic and abrasive era of the “Moral Majority” and religious “right.” So much so that they have overcompensated by not wanting to be seen as condemning anything.
For others, it is spiritual insecurity. Somehow, they are not “legitimate” until they land on Oprah, are covered by USA Today, or are fawned over by Slate.
It is as if our model is Bono—be a rockstar while espousing Christian faith. Not to denigrate Bono, but the better model would be Dietrich Bonhoeffer. He was someone who clearly saw the lines of good and evil and worked tirelessly to overthrow evil (in his case, Hitler and the Third Reich). Rather than gaining popularity, his efforts ended in execution at a concentration camp.
Suffice it to say, we are behind enemy lines. When behind enemy lines, there are… well, enemies. The goal is not to be enemy free, as though Christianity at its purest is so winsome and compelling that no one who “gets it” will ever reject it.
No, the Gospel is scandalous and offensive. Many will openly reject it, not to mention its moral mandates. We are not to embody culture, as John Stott wisely wrote, but rather the Christian is called to counter culture. The Kingdom of God that we advance is not the kingdom currently in place.
So don’t worry about having enemies.
Instead, concern yourself with having the right ones and for the right reasons.
Don’t have enemies because you are intentionally offensive in spirit and interrelational dynamics.
Don’t have enemies because you are caustic and abrasive.
Don’t have enemies because you are unfeeling and unloving.
But…
Do have enemies because you stand for truth.
Do have enemies because you will not waver in the face of majority opinion when it clashes with biblical authority.
Do have enemies when you will not personally compromise your convictions.
After all, Jesus did.
And did you really think following Him would avoid any kind of cross?
James Emery White
Sources
John Stott, Christian Counterculture (InterVarsity Press).
Eric Metaxas, Bonhoeffer.
Editor’s Note
This blog was originally published in 2015. The Church & Culture Team thought you would find it an interesting read once again.
About the Author
James Emery White is the founding and senior pastor of Mecklenburg Community Church in Charlotte, NC, and a former adjunct professor of theology and culture at Gordon-Conwell Theological Seminary, where he also served as their fourth president. His latest book After “I Believe” is now available on Amazon or your favorite bookseller. To enjoy a free subscription to the Church & Culture blog, visit churchandculture.org, where you can view past blogs in our archive, read the latest church and culture news from around the world, and listen to the Church & Culture Podcast. Follow Dr. White on Twitter, Facebook and Instagram at @JamesEmeryWhite.
The views expressed in this commentary do not necessarily reflect those of CrosswalkHeadlines.
James Emery White is the founding and senior pastor of Mecklenburg Community Church in Charlotte, NC, and a former professor of theology and culture at Gordon-Conwell Theological Seminary, where he also served as their fourth president. His latest book, Hybrid Church: Rethinking the Church for a Post-Christian Digital Age, is now available on Amazon or from your favorite bookseller. To enjoy a free subscription to the Church & Culture blog, visit churchandculture.org where you can view past blogs in our archive, read the latest church and culture news from around the world, and listen to the Church & Culture Podcast. Follow Dr. White on X, Facebook and Instagram at @JamesEmeryWhite.
