You are not really my enemies at all... in reality
you are some of the best friends I have. You who have lied about me, and about this
ministry, who have tried to destroy people’s faith and confidence in me, who have
spread false and damaging rumors about my life and teachings .... through your efforts
there has been a work of grace wrought in this heart of mine that could never have
happened without you.
My friends have been many, and loyal, and faithful
to stand with me in many hours of trial and need. They have been strength to my weakness,
added joy to my heart in time of sorrow, and have girded up my faith amidst raging doubts.
They have brought me before the throne of grace innumerable times in their seasons of
prayer. I could not have continued long in this spiritual conflict without these wonderful
friends.
But, believe me, I speak in sincerity and truth,
there can be no perfection in the lives of God’s elect without the chastising work of
a real enemy. For when a bitter vicious person begins to do all they can to destroy me and
my work for God, then there is a work done that brings out all the wrong and evil
attitudes and spirits that lie hidden and deeply rooted in my heart. When a friend extols
all my good virtues and praises me from their heart of true friendship, I feel nothing but
love for them. But, when I hear of an enemy who has unjustly brought shame upon me, there
rises up a spirit of defending myself, and a spirit of "righteous indignation"
to refute the enemy. It is then that the precious Holy Spirit does His office work and
reveals to me the wrongness of my own spirit. I see in me then, the things I did not know
were there before. With repenting and sorrow of heart I cry to God, and He delivers me
from that which I have seen in my life. It was hidden, lying dormant, until you, my
beloved enemy brought it to light with your crucifying process. The prophets of old would
never have had the glory of being stoned for the Word of God - and no martyr’s crowns
could ever have been won by the early Christians without real enemies.
You see, I cannot crucify myself, and friends will
not do it. So it takes you, my enemy, to bring me to the cross. And to the cross I must
come, if ever I am to come to the glory of perfection. But I have much progress yet to
make before coming to the image of my lovely Jesus. There is so much I must yet learn.
And, my enemy, you are teaching me. I have learned that the road to glory is by way of the
cross. Without you I would not have found the way. Someone had to crucify my Jesus. Not
his friends, not his disciples, and He could not do it Himself. So Satan and the princes
of this world stirred up hatred in the hearts of His enemies, and the work was done. Had
they known that they were bringing Him into His glory, and bringing about the salvation of
lost mankind, they would not have done it. And I’m sure that if you knew the good
your efforts are working out in my life, you would not want to help me so much. But the
work is being done, and I have learned to love you because of it. "Love thy
enemies", He said, and I wondered how I could do it. But you have taught me. For
because of you I have grown in God, increased in His Grace, and partaken of His divine
nature.
Also because of you many have been turned away and
refused to hear the truths imparted unto this vessel. Their ears have been filled with
lies, and no doubt have thought that "no good thing could possibly come from such a
one." But even here I have seen the hand of God. For those who have had ears to hear
the voice of the Spirit have not believed the lies you have told them, and they have
opened their hearts to the message for these last days. Thus, God has weeded out the chaff
from the wheat, and is in the process of separating His own unto Himself. All things are
working together.
So, my friends, for in reality I have no enemies
in flesh and blood, your work has been sharp and cutting, and many times I was hurt and
wounded deeply. But out of these trying experiences I have come forth a better Christian,
and further on my way to being an overcomer. I doubt that you will receive any rewards for
your lies and your efforts to destroy me, for "Woe unto them through whom these
offences come." But I want you to know that though your loss may be great in the day
of judgment, I love you and appreciate the ministry you have had in perfecting this life
of mine.
NOW JUST A WORD TO ALL WHO HAVE READ THIS ... I
trust that you have understood that this word has not been applicable to me only, but
should apply as well to all of God’s dear children. May the Spirit speak to your
heart and open your eyes to this great truth ... that without chastisement and the work of
enemies we can never come into full sonship. And when we see how much our persecutions and
afflictions mean to us in maturing our spirits and bringing us into His image, then we can
truly "Love our enemies", and "bless them that curse us." Praise God
for His marvelous plan! And remember ... all the enemy can destroy in the fires of
persecution is "hay, wood and stubble", and all they will melt and bring into
His image is the "gold, silver and precious stones." So let us be willing to
burn that which will burn, that those things which will not burn may stand forever!
Written by Bill Britton