Friends vs. Enemies

An appropriate first re-post.

Original posting date: Sunday, February 19, 2006

In this life, you are either my friend, or my enemy. There is no inbetween. There are no fence-sitters. Another person's feelings toward me holds no bearing on their status. Luckily, the vast majority of people are friends. If you are someone I have just met, you are probably a friend. I give my trust easily, because I believe there is a greater good in humanity. I believe that the Light of Christ can be cultivated and shine through from any soul.

There are casual friends. These include people you have in classes at school, people you know at work, people who are always good for a talk or a laugh. You may not tell them your deepest secrets or feel like you could trust them with your life, but you might help each other out in small or major ways.

Then there are true friends, those you can count on no matter what. A true friend will stick by you through heaven and hell, happiness and sorrow, pleasure and pain. Of those types of friends there are still many, but considerably fewer. For a true friend, I would do anything in my power to help them. I trust them. I hope they trust me. I would willingly sacrifice my life to protect them. "Greater love hath no man than this, that a man lay down his life for his friends" (John 15:13).

Last, there are enemies. Friends can become enemies and vice versa, but it is difficult. Friends need to show a great deal of betrayal to earn the title of enemy. Enemies need to show a great deal of repentance and change to earn the title of friend. Enemies are the opposite of a true friend. For the most part, these people are ignored outwardly if secretly watched. Only a fool would turn his back on an enemy, especially those who were once true friends but betrayed you. I would not hesitate to bring an enemy down, if necessary, and especially for the greater good. These people are still redeemable, but the process is difficult. God has commanded that we forgive all, for "I, the Lord, will forgive whom I forgive, but of you it is required to forgive all men." Sins may be forgiven, but not forgotten, and it is extremely hard for you to again trust someone who has betrayed you.

Friends know who they are. True friends usually know who they are, even if it is not expressed often enough. These people need to be thanked and recongized more often.

Enemies definitely, without a doubt, know who they are.

Which list are you on?