Life Devotion

Text: Psalm 6:6-10
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“A man with no enemies is a man with no character.”
~Attributed to American entertainer and salad dressing persona, Paul Newman.
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To be yourself you’ve got to ruffle feathers and blaze your own trail. Imagine a lifetime of “It’s my way or the highway!” That’s exhausting. If this is the case, everyone is a hothead! It might seem like “hotheads,” those who scream the loudest, are the ones getting attention and succeeding in getting a message across.
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Christians could spend a lifetime confronting and creating “enemies” of those who believe differently. Yet such a strategy would do no good for advancing the Gospel. Instead, God desires you to live and love everyone with gentleness. Still, you feel weary, worn down, and defeated—like you’re getting nowhere and not changing anyone’s mind.
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But God hasn’t asked you to make enemies or shout louder than the opposition. Rather, He desires you to love with confident humility everyone who He has ordered into your life. Our true enemies are not those with whom we disagree, though we certainly grieve over those who oppose God’s will. What a relief! God has defeated our true enemies for us by Jesus’ death on the cross. The joy you know in Jesus’ saving work is of far greater value to your character and identity than being a hothead. With boldness, confidence, and a gentle spirit, you steadfastly share God’s loving will for human life to everyone—though they may shout and rage. God will handle the rest.
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Let us pray: Almighty God, You sent Your Son to befriend us sinners who were once your enemies. By His humble death and steadfast love, even among His enemies, we are at peace with you. Grant to us humble and steadfast hearts of service, though they seem as weak and powerless. Help us to continually witness Your saving love to those who see You as their enemy. Through Jesus Christ, our Lord. Amen.
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(Joseph McCalley, Sem IV)