Have I Become Your Enemy?

by Jeffrey W. Hamilton

When I chose to be your friend, I knew there would be rough times. It is rare for two people to always see eye-to-eye. There have to be times when friends need to tell each other things the other person really doesn't want to hear or face. Paul faced that when he had to rebuke the Galatians for straying from the Gospel: "Have I therefore become your enemy because I tell you the truth?" (Galatians 4:16).

Yes, it hurts me that you've closed me out of your life. I suspect you've done so because I remind you of what you left behind for drugs and because I end up making you face the reality of what you have chosen to become. The lazy way is to close off all the reminders and lie to yourself that you aren't that bad.

I know you are a better man than that. I hope and pray that you have the courage of David when he said, "Let the righteous strike me; it shall be a kindness. And let him rebuke me; it shall be as excellent oil; let my head not refuse it. For still my prayer is against the deeds of the wicked" (Psalms 141:5). I tell you the truth because I sincerely love you. I won't give up on you because I've seen your heart and know your love for God. Thus, I won't accept your choice to ruin yourself with drugs because the man I know and love can leave his sins behind if he can just trust Jesus and have the courage to face the pain of returning.

I'm at your side in my prayers, thinking of you, and longing for your return -- even when you refuse to see that I'm there.