Friends or Enemies?

The deal between Iran & the 'West & the Rest' has put the cat among the pigeons. While those involved are very pleased with themselves, both Israel & Saudi Arabia, unlikely bed-fellows, are annoyed with the US, with whom they thought they had a deep and lasting friendship. 

It looks surprisingly like a playground argument, even though we know the issues are much bigger. Friends are falling out and becoming enemies, while enemies look like they might become friends. We shall have to watch this space.

This reminds me of what is at the heart of the Christian understanding of the way that God deals with people like us.

He takes all the necessary steps to turn his enemies into his friends. He takes the initiative, and invites us to benefit from all He has done to change everything. 

St. Paul sets it out as follows. 

'God showed his great love for us by sending Christ to die for us while we were still sinners. And since we have been made right in God’s sight by the blood of Christ, he will certainly save us from God’s condemnation. For since our friendship with God was restored by the death of his Son while we were still his enemies, we will certainly be saved through the life of his Son. So now we can rejoice in our wonderful new relationship with God because our Lord Jesus Christ has made us friends of God.' (Romans 5.8-11)

Paul reminds us that the motivation for this astonishing process is the 'love which drew salvation's plan', as the old song goes! This love is not just some warm and tender feeling, but it leads to costly and sacrificial action. It is startling how often Paul focuses on the death of Jesus - sending Christ to die for us, the blood of Christ, the death of his Son. It will do us well, today and every day, to keep recalling that our new life in Christ comes at a great price. Therefore, today and every day, we can rejoice in our wonderful new relationship with God because our Lord Jesus Christ has made us friends of God.

Best wishes,

Richard