Enmity or Harmony?
Genesis 3:15 “And I will put enmity between thee and the woman, and between thy seed and her seed; it shall bruise thy head, and thou shalt bruise his heel.”
In the first promise made to Adam and Eve after they sinned, God stated that He would put enmity between the seed of the woman and the seed of the serpent. In other words, there would not be any harmony, but enmity between Satan and mankind. Satan has been trying to break this enmity and create harmony with man, thus breaking man’s harmony with heaven. He has succeeded with the vast majority of the people on this earth.
After the sin of Adam and Eve, Satan’s next major success was when Cain sinned. He “went out from the presence of the LORD,” (Genesis 4:16), and severed his harmony with heaven. He was then at enmity with God and in harmony with Satan. He went far away from home to establish his own kingdom. If Cain and his descendants had remained far away, the faith of God”s people would have been preserved. To preserve their harmony with heaven, it was essential that they remain separate. Abraham lived in the city of Ur and did his best to live a righteous life, however, the Lord knew that in order to preserve his faith there was need for separation, therefore Abraham “was called to go out into a place which he should after receive for an inheritance, obeyed; and he went out, not knowing whither he went.” Hebrews 11:8. To preserve harmony with heaven, the righteous need to be separate from worldly influences ” at enmity with the devil and his followers.
The Lord called the nation of Israel to be a peculiar and separate nation in order to preserve the truth in its purity. Unfortunately, as much as the Lord encouraged a separation, often the people of God were tempted to mingle with sinners. “The sons of God saw the daughters of men that they were fair; and they took them wives of all which they chose.” Genesis 6:2. All too often their faith was corrupted. Even after the flood, things did not change for the better. In reading through the history of Ancient Israel, there are numerous occasions in which God’s people mingled with idolaters. More often than not, their faith was corrupted rather than the Israelites being faithful witnesses to the heathen. “And Israel abode in Shittim, and the people began to commit whoredom with the daughters of Moab.” Numbers 25:1
After their captivity in Babylon, the counsel was given again. “Now therefore give not your daughters unto their sons, neither take their daughters unto your sons, nor seek their peace or their wealth for ever: that ye may be strong, and eat the good of the land, and leave it for an inheritance to your children for ever.” Ezra 9:12. The closest tie on earth is the family tie. How can two join in this union if their faith and belief is in enmity against each other, one being in harmony and the other in enmity against Satan” There will surely be difficulties in the family. One spouse may eventually turn to be with the spouse, and perhaps, violating their conscience, or there will be constant contention in the family circle, resulting in a possible disruption of the family unit.
What about us” Does the Lord sometimes want to separate us from others” Are we in harmony or at enmity with the people in the world” Do we think that their influence will not really affect us” “Be not deceived: evil communications corrupt good manners.” 1 Cor 15:33.
Paul encourages believers to stop being led astray. The term “communications” is literally translated to mean, “companionships.” The company of such individuals is to be avoided. Association with those who hold erroneous religious opinions (false Christian teachers), or whose lives are impure, has a tendency to corrupt the faith and morals of believers. By daily association with those who do not believe in the pure truth, the believers would be likely to lose their clear, positive understanding of the truth. Familiarity with error tends to remove objection to it and to lessen caution against it. For this reason God has always counselled His people to separate themselves from close associations with unbelievers. (An unbeliever is not necessarily a worldly person and includes those who do not believe the pure truth. They mix it with a bit of error to suit their lifestyle).
The question to ponder though is when to be separate and when to mingle. Jesus was condemned by the Jewish leaders because He ate and drank with sinners, while they themselves separated themselves from these types of people. “And it came to pass, as Jesus sat at meat in the house, behold, many publicans and sinners came and sat down with him and his disciples. And when the Pharisees saw it, they said unto his disciples, Why eateth your Master with publicans and sinners”” Matthew 9:10, 11
What was Jesus” answer”
“But when Jesus heard that, he said unto them, They that be whole need not a physician, but they that are sick. But go ye and learn what that meaneth, I will have mercy, and not sacrifice: for I am not come to call the righteous, but sinners to repentance.” Matthew 9:12, 13. Many of the poorer classes were drawn to Jesus. The Lord loved the ones who the Jewish leaders rejected.
How will worldly people react if we are truly living a righteous life” “Blessed are ye, when men shall hate you, and when they shall separate you from their company, and shall reproach you, and cast out your name as evil, for the Son of man’s sake.” Luke 6:22. Why would we want to keep company with these kinds of people” They expect that you will join them in their sin or then they will ostracise you. Either you harmonize with them in their sinful lifestyle or you will find enmity between you and them. Those who do harmonize with the world find themselves at enmity with God. The two cannot be in agreement. They will always be separate.
SEPARATION
The Bible does emphasize the need for a separation of God’s people from the world.
“Wherefore come out from among them, and be ye separate, saith the Lord, and touch not the unclean thing; and I will receive you,” 2 Cor 6:17.
A person who loves and trusts the Lord seeks to unite himself with Him in every way possible. He actively rejects everything that displeases God, and accepts only that which is in harmony with His will. This joining of himself with Christ is a constant activity, one that becomes his all-absorbing interest.
Although we are to encourage sinners to turn to the Lord, if they refuse, this is when we must walk away. However, we are not to turn away from sinners after the first entreaty. The Holy Spirit has long patience and doesn’t give up easily. Jesus pleads with sinners, as we also should. There is only so much we can do though, if someone loves their sin. There is a time when we can do no more and we need to separate from them. The Holy Spirit will reveal to us when this time will be. We have an example from Ancient Israel. “Ephraim is joined to idols: let him alone.” Hosea 4:17. Ephraim was the principle tribe of the Northern Kingdom. Ephraim’s idolatry and refusal to repent left him to an inescapable fate. The ten tribes had gone so far in idolatry that to them was made no promise of complete restoration. God does not coerce the will. He pleads with men to accept the way of life. But He leaves it with them as to whether they will hear or whether they will forbear. Those who persistently refuse to accept the offers of mercy are left to reap the fruits of their own choosing, which is enmity with God.
There is a time when we must draw back and leave the Holy Spirit to do the work. He can work on the human heart in a very effective manner when our words are no longer having any effect. Although the case of Ephraim seemed hopeless and humanly speaking, they were to be left alone, the Holy Spirit was still working. Ephraim had a change of heart by no human effort. “Ephraim shall say, What have I to do any more with idols” I have heard him, and observed him: I am like a green fir tree. From me is thy fruit found.” Hosea 14:8. Sometimes the best solution is to simply step back and leave the work to the Holy Spirit.
The following paragraphs describe the types of people we should not harmonize with, since they are at enmity with God.
Those seeking to cause division amongst God’s people.
“Now I beseech you, brethren, mark them which cause divisions and offences contrary to the doctrine which ye have learned; and avoid them. For they that are such serve not our Lord Jesus Christ, but their own belly; and by good words and fair speeches deceive the hearts of the simple.” Romans 16:17, 18
Paul encourages believers against false teachers who might attempt to disrupt their harmony and destroy their faith. Anyone who seeks to disrupt the unity in God’s church should be separated.
There are two main ways that Satan works to cause division amongst God’s people.
1) Causing people to exalt minor points of doctrine, while ignoring major points.
“Whenever the Lord has a special work to do among His people, when He would arouse their minds to contemplate vital truth, Satan will work to divert the mind by introducing minor points of difference, in order that he may create an issue concerning doctrines that are not essential to the understanding of the point in hand, and thus bring about disunion, and distract attention from the essential point. When this occurs, the Lord is at work making impressions upon the hearts of men, concerning that which is necessary to their salvation. Then if Satan can draw the mind away to some unimportant issue, and cause the people to divide on some minor point, so that their hearts are barricaded against light and truth, he exults in malicious triumph.” Ev 154.
2) Causing the unconverted believers to take their eyes off Jesus and to look at the sins and faults in their brethren.
“God’s people must take warning and discern the signs of the times. The signs of Christ’s coming are too plain to be doubted, and in view of these things everyone who professes the truth should be a living preacher. God calls upon all, both preachers and people, to awaken. All heaven is astir. The scenes of earth’s history are fast closing. We are amid the perils of the last days. Greater perils are before us, and yet we are not awake. This lack of activity and earnestness in the cause of God is dreadful. This death stupor is from Satan. He controls the minds of unconsecrated Sabbathkeepers, and leads them to be jealous of one another, faultfinding, and censorious. It is his special work to divide hearts that the influence, strength, and labor of God’s servants may be kept among unconsecrated Sabbathkeepers and their precious time be occupied in settling little differences when it should be spent in proclaiming the truth to unbelievers.” 1T 260
“Satan is ever seeking to divide the faith and hearts of God’s people. He well knows that union is their strength, and division their weakness. It is important and essential that all of Christ’s followers understand Satan’s devices and with a united front meet his attacks and vanquish him. They need to make continual efforts to press together even if it be at some sacrifice to themselves.” 3T 434
“Press together, press together, press together”.in union there is strength, in division there is weakness.” TM 56
Those that obey not God’s word.
“And if any man obey not our word by this epistle, note that man, and have no company with him, that he may be ashamed.” 2 Thess 3:14. “Such deliberate ostracism on the part of loyal Christians could hardly fail to have a remedial effect. The delinquents would more readily see themselves as others saw them, and be ashamed. Being ashamed of their wayward conduct, they would be led to repentance and be saved.” 7BC 281.
“We are not to unite with the rebellious and call this charity. God requires His people in this age of the world to stand for the right as unflinchingly as did John in opposition to soul-destroying errors.” AA 554. As we stand for the right, there will naturally occur an enmity with evil and harmony with God.
The fornicator, covetous, idolater, railer, drunkard or extortioner.
“But now I have written unto you not to keep company, if any man that is called a brother be a fornicator, or covetous, or an idolater, or a railer, or a drunkard, or an extortioner; with such an one no not to eat.” 1 Cor 5:11
This verse refers to social meals as well as the Lord’s Supper. Believers should have nothing that would give observers reason to believe that defiant transgressors of God’s law are recognized as Christian brothers in good standing. The standard of truth and purity must be held high. It is necessary to withdraw completely from wickedly impenitent apostates and let it be known that the church has no connection with them. Only thus will the church be kept pure and free from the contaminating influence of apostate sinners who are at enmity with God, refusing to repent and give up their wickedness.
Just because a person is a member of the church does not mean it is always “safe” to associate with them. They may be lukewarm believers. If you find that they are influencing you in the wrong direction more than you are influencing them in the correct direction, it is time to withdraw from their company. If you are not growing through their friendship, it is not safe to continue the companionship. You do not want to jeopardize your harmony with heaven.
Although we can warn them, we need the wisdom of the Holy Spirit, to know when to walk away. We are encouraged not to keep company with these types of people as they have no interest in salvation. A drunkard does not have a clear mind. Unless he has a desire to leave his liquor habit, we are counselled to not even eat with him.
Unbelievers
“Be ye not unequally yoked together with unbelievers: for what fellowship hath righteousness with unrighteousness” and what communion hath light with darkness” And what concord hath Christ with Belial” or what part hath he that believeth with an infidel” And what agreement hath the temple of God with idols” for ye are the temple of the living God; as God hath said, I will dwell in them, and walk in them; and I will be their God, and they shall be my people. Wherefore come out from among them, and be ye separate, saith the Lord, and touch not the unclean thing; and I will receive you,” 2 Cor. 6:14-17. These verses encourage us not to yoke up with these people in marriage or business associations and alliances.
Unfruitful works of darkness
“And have no fellowship with the unfruitful works of darkness, but rather reprove them.” Eph 5:11 Paul counsels us to have no fellowship with these types of people, but he doesn’t say isolate yourselves from them either. He tells us to reprove them. True believers will not participate in unfruitful works, nor countenance them nor have any sympathy with them. “By word and life Christians should be a continuous rebuke to the world of evil. It is not sufficient to “have no fellowship” with the works of evil; they must be reproved. The Christian cannot be neutral, a passive observer in the face of wickedness; he must be aggressive in exposure and denunciation of sin. Sympathy with afflicted men must not degenerate into an easygoing, indifference or sentimental tolerance. Otherwise it will be hard to show that we have “no fellowship” with works of darkness.” 6BC 1033
False religious teachers
“If there come any unto you, and bring not this doctrine, receive him not into your house, neither bid him God speed: For he that biddeth him God speed is partaker of his evil deeds.” 2 John 10, 11. This apparently inhospitable counsel applies only in the case of a “deceiver” and “antichrist” (v.7), and has no direct bearing on the hospitality that Christians should cheerfully show to needy friends and strangers. There would be no point in receiving a visitor who was determined to deceive the church of God; one who wants to create division and disrupt the church’s harmony with heaven.
“Lay hands suddenly on no man, neither be partaker of other men’s sins: keep thyself pure.” 1 Tim 5:22 Paul is counselling Timothy here, firstly that no inexperienced person should be ordained. Then he goes on to tell Timothy not to partake in other’s sin. Why are these two thoughts placed in the same verse” New members need to develop more. They need to prove that they have shunned sin. If Timothy refused to acknowledge the sins of his elders, he would be shielding sin, and thus sharing in its spirit and consequences.” 7BC 314. The minister, above all others, must remain clean from moral indiscretions. Paul reminds Timothy that no factor such as wealth, or prestige, or personal friendship, should affect his judgment with respect to church matters. If leaders sin persistently, and are working at enmity with heaven, they also need to be separated from their position.
“And I heard another voice from heaven, saying, Come out of her, my people, that ye be not partakers of her sins, and that ye receive not of her plagues.” Rev. 18:4
As God’s people formerly came out of literal Babylon in order that they might return to Jerusalem, so His people today are called out of mystical Babylon in order that they may be accounted worthy to enter the New Jerusalem. Those who refuse to leave will be sanctioning the sins of Babylon and have to share the responsibility for them. They are at enmity with heaven.
“Having a form of godliness, but denying the power thereof: from such turn away.” 2 Timothy 3:5. Paul counsels Timothy and all future leaders to be alert to the dangers confronting the church. Besides a personal vigilance lest he succumb to the evil practices here described (v. 1-4) Timothy was to point out publicly these insidious tendencies and practices, which were curtailing the influence of Christianity. Through the years, the behaviour of nominal church members, that is, those who profess loyalty to God’s way of life and yet reveal no tangible evidence of a development of Christlikeness, has been a greater handicap to the progress of the gospel than any other factor. They are not at enmity with the world, but are rather disrupting the harmony within God’s church.
ADMONISH THE ERRING
“Yet count him not as an enemy, but admonish him as a brother.” 2 Thess 3:15. This word of caution is very needful in the church. It is easy for Christians to be harsh in their thinking toward a perverse brother. Paul did not want the erring one to be excommunicated on the first entreaty. He wished him still to be counted as a brother, and to be admonished as such. If the discipline had its intended effect, he would be susceptible to brotherly counsel, and be ready to repent. However, if many entreaties are given and they are continually slighted, then the steps of separation need to be taken as outlined in Matthew 18:15-19 in order to preserve the harmony in God’s church, since this believer has placed himself at enmity with heaven.
In the Spirit of Prophecy important counsel is given when working with the erring ” those that are at enmity with heaven. “In labouring with the erring, some of our brethren had been too rigid, too cutting in remarks. And when some were disposed to reject their counsel and separate from them, they would say: “Well, if they want to go off, let them go.” While such a lack of the compassion, and long-suffering, and tenderness of Jesus was manifested by His professed followers, these poor, erring, inexperienced souls, buffeted by Satan, were certain to make shipwreck of faith. However great may be the wrongs and sins of the erring, our brethren must learn to manifest not only the tenderness of the Great Shepherd, but also His undying care and love for the poor, straying sheep. Our ministers toil and lecture week after week, and rejoice that a few souls embrace the truth; and yet brethren of a prompt, decided turn of mind may, in five minutes, destroy their work by indulging the feelings which prompt words like these: “Well, if they want to leave us, let them go.”” 2T 18
RECONCILIATION
If a person is at enmity with God, they are not hopeless. The Holy Spirit is continually working until the person has cut themselves completely off from God. God is seeking for reconciliation between Himself and man. He is doing everything possible for the reconciliation process, however men who cling to their sin, resist the reconciliation. They do not want reconciliation on God’s terms, rather on their own terms. They essentially separated from God and we are counselled to separate and leave them be.
Reconciliation is essential in order to preserve the unity in God’s church. All need to be at enmity with the world and in harmony with heaven for unity to happen.
“And all things are of God, who hath reconciled us to himself by Jesus Christ, and hath given to us the ministry of reconciliation; To wit, that God was in Christ, reconciling the world unto himself, not imputing their trespasses unto them; and hath committed unto us the word of reconciliation.” 2 Cor. 5:18, 19
Reconciliation involves no change on God”s part, for God never changes. It is not God who needs to be reconciled to man, but man who needs to be reconciled to God. There has never been enmity on God’s part between Him and man. After Adam and Eve fell into sin, God put enmity between the seed of man and the seed of the serpent. If any enmity exists between man and God it was not God who put it there, rather it was man. Men sometimes perceive God as a stern judge, angry with sinners, hard to be placated, unmerciful, ready to condemn. This characterization misrepresents Him and is an affront to Him. Christ did not have to go to the cross in order to appease God, but as a demonstration of His love. God did not demand the death of His Son, but gave Him out of a heart of infinite love. He wants to create harmony and unity with man (John 17:21) and put enmity between the believers and Satan.
This reconciliation work is passed on to us. The message of reconciliation has been deposited, as it were, in the minds and hearts of all who accept it for themselves for distribution to others.
Finally, true reconciliation is obtained in this manner, “Therefore if thou bring thy gift to the altar, and there rememberest that thy brother hath ought against thee; Leave there thy gift before the altar, and go thy way; first be reconciled to thy brother, and then come and offer thy gift. Agree with thine adversary quickly, whiles thou art in the way with him; lest at any time the adversary deliver thee to the judge, and the judge deliver thee to the officer, and thou be cast into prison.” Matthew 5:23-25
From the Spirit of Prophecy we are given an example of this verse put into action. “Years ago, when the company of believers in the soon coming of Christ was very small, the Sabbathkeepers at Topsham, Maine, met for worship in the large kitchen in the home of Brother Stockbridge Howland. One Sabbath morning Brother Howland was absent. We were surprised at this, because he was always so punctual. Soon he came in, his face aglow, shining with the glory of God. “Brethren,” he said, “I have found it. I have found that we can pursue a course of action regarding which the guarantee of God’s word is: “Ye shall never fall.” I am going to tell you about it.”
“He then told us that he had noticed that one brother, a poor fisherman, had been feeling that he was not as highly respected as he ought to be and that Brother Howland and others thought themselves above him. This was not true, but it seemed true to him; and for several weeks he had not attended the meetings. So Brother Howland went to his house and knelt before him, saying: “My brother, forgive me. What is it that I have done”” The man took him by the arm and tried to raise him to his feet. “No,” said Brother Howland, “what have you against me”” “I have nothing against you.” “But you must have,” said Brother Howland, “because once we could speak to one another, but now you do not speak to me at all, and I want to know what is the matter.”
“”Get up, Brother Howland,” he said. “No,” said Brother Howland, “I will not.” “Then I must get down,” he said, and he fell on his knees, and confessed how childish he had been and how many evil surmisings he had cherished. “And now,” he said, “I will put them all away.”
“As Brother Howland told this story, his face shone with the glory of the Lord. Just as he had finished, the fisherman and his family came in, and we had an excellent meeting.
“Suppose that some of us should follow the course pursued by Brother Howland. If when our brethren surmise evil, we would go to them, saying, “Forgive me if I have done anything to harm you,” we might break the spell of Satan and set our brethren free from their temptations. Do not let anything interpose between you and your brethren. If there is anything that you can do by sacrifice to clear away the rubbish of suspicion, do it. God wants us to love one another as brethren. He wants us to be pitiful and courteous. He wants us to educate ourselves to believe that our brethren love us, and to believe that Christ loves us. Love begets love.
“Do we expect to meet our brethren in heaven” If we can live with them here in peace and harmony we could live with them there. But how could we live with them in heaven if we cannot live with them here without continued contention and strife” Those who are following a course of action that separates them from their brethren and brings in discord and dissension, need a thorough conversion. Our hearts must be melted and subdued by the love of Christ. We must cherish the love that He showed in dying for us on the cross of Calvary. We need to draw closer and closer to the Saviour. We should be much in prayer, and we must learn to exercise faith. We must be more tenderhearted, more pitiful and courteous. We shall pass through this world but once. Shall we not strive to leave on those with whom we associate the impress of the character of Christ”” 9T 191-193
“Who shall separate us from the love of Christ’ shall tribulation, or distress, or persecution, or famine, or nakedness, or peril, or sword” As it is written, For thy sake we are killed all the day long; we are accounted as sheep for the slaughter. Nay, in all these things we are more than conquerors through him that loved us. For I am persuaded, that neither death, nor life, nor angels, nor principalities, nor powers, nor things present, nor things to come, Nor height, nor depth, nor any other creature, shall be able to separate us from the love of God, which is in Christ Jesus our Lord.” Romans 8:35-39
If we truly surrender to the Lord, we will be found to be at enmity with Satan and the world. Although we are not to stand aloof from worldly people and have an air of superiority over them, as did the Pharisees in the days that Jesus walked the earth, we can’t harmonize with them and participate with them in their folly. We will automatically be at enmity with them if we stand faithful.
We are preparing for entrance into the New Jerusalem and must surrender any idol or habit and leave behind any person who will hinder our heavenward journey. We must examine ourselves to determine who we are harmonizing with, and who we are at enmity with. Are we at enmity with God or with the world and Satan” My prayer is that each person reading this would be out of harmony with the world and perfectly united with Christ and in harmony with His people. Amen
Wendy Eaton, Australia