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Sep 10, 2024 06:00am

From Enemy to Friend

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Have you had any enemies in life? Someone that just seemed like they were out to get you. Whether their threats were verbal or physical, it was clear you were not on the same side. Their hatred towards you fueled their words and actions.

What if one day, that person showed up on your doorstep and wanted to be friends?

It would be unbelievable, wouldn’t it?

You would be skeptical, saying, “There is no way you’ve changed!” You’d probably slam the door in their faces…unless they had a Barnabas with them.

Acts 9:22-28
Yet Saul grew more and more powerful and baffled the Jews living in Damascus by proving that Jesus is the Messiah.
23 After many days had gone by, there was a conspiracy among the Jews to kill him,
24, but Saul learned of their plan. Day and night, they kept close watch on the city gates in order to kill him.
25 But his followers took him by night and lowered him in a basket through an opening in the wall.
26 When he came to Jerusalem, he tried to join the disciples, but they were all afraid of him, not believing that he really was a disciple.
27 But Barnabas took him and brought him to the apostles. He told them how Saul on his journey had seen the Lord and that the Lord had spoken to him, and how in Damascus he had preached fearlessly in the name of Jesus.
28 So Saul stayed with them and moved about freely in Jerusalem, speaking boldly in the name of the Lord.” – NIV

Can you imagine the initial thoughts that ran through the disciples’ minds?

“This is SAUL! He’s the man who led the persecution of Christians. He’s the reason we all fled from Jerusalem 3 years ago! This is some ploy to kill us. He hadn’t changed. There is no way! He is our enemy!”

But Barnabas stepped in and vouched for him. He declared the truth to the disciples about Saul’s encounter with Christ and his conversion. He also shared with them about Saul testifying and preaching Jesus in Damascus.

Once their enemy, Saul was now called a friend.

He was welcomed into their home, stayed with them, and preached boldly for Christ.

Before, I asked you if you had ever had an enemy. Now, we flip the roles and get to the heart of the matter.

We were once an enemy, too, weren’t we?

The scripture says that as sinners, we are enemies of God. But because Jesus stepped in, we can be called friends of God.

I’m forever grateful. Aren’t you?

What a friend we have in Jesus.

Maybe you’ve asked Jesus to save you but you aren’t sure what it looks like to follow Him. Just like the disciples did, we want to help you learn about Jesus and what it means to walk with Him every day. Go to follow.lifeword.org to learn more.