“I thought God was supposed to be our friend, not our enemy.”

Most people are shocked to learn that the Bible doesn’t paint God as a friend of humanity. That picture doesn’t go with their image of God. But the Bible makes it clear that our sins alienate us from Him, and paints a picture of a wicked and guilty criminal before a good Judge. Col. 1:21 describes the lost as “alienated and enemies in your mind by wicked works.” Rom. 8:7 says that “the carnal mind is enmity [in a state of hostility] against God; for it is not subject to the law of God, nor indeed can be.” The unregenerate mind spits blasphemy out of an unclean mouth. We are filled with rebellion toward God, and specifically His moral Law.

Jesus said, “You are My friends if you do whatever I command you” (John 15:14, emphasis added). It is essential to note the second part of the verse. We are enemies of God as long as we are friends with this sinful world (see James 4:4,5).

2 Chronicles 20:7 Are You not our God, who drove out the inhabitants of this land before Your people Israel, and gave it to the descendants of Abraham Your friend forever?

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