Enemies In the House - Micah 7:6

 . . . and ‘a man’s enemies will be those of his own household. - Matthew 10:36

    God neither comes to us on our terms nor on our schedules. And that is what many contemporary evangelicals and most unbelievers don’t seem to understand. Let that sink in for a moment.
    God is the almighty Creator and Sustainer of the universe. He doesn’t respond to our ala carte list of “acceptable divine attributes.” He is both loving and just, forgiving and unforgiving, merciful and judgmental. All His attributes are equal in every sense. His love does not outweigh His wrath, nor does His mercy outweigh His judgment. Considering what His sovereignty actually means, think about how utterly ridiculous such an idea is. “There are many plans in a man’s heart, nevertheless the Lord’s counsel—that will stand.” - Proverbs 19:21.
    Here is another hard fact: Many people who feel they want God’s presence in their lives very quickly drop the notion altogether. Proof? First, think very carefully now - how many of the people in our first circle of family and friends exhibit the influence of God in their lives? Not the god they imagine for themselves but the actual living God of the Bible?
    Secondly, for the one true God to be present in our lives, we would most likely lose those in our first circle who do not want to share our faith-wrought enthusiasm. They don’t want to become like us. And if asked, they would most likely respond by saying that they would like “the old us” back.  Such pressure coming from our first circle of family and friends can be disastrous to our walk in faith if we succumb to the influence. “Do not be unequally yoked together with unbelievers. For what fellowship has righteousness with lawlessness? And what communion has light with darkness? And what accord has Christ with Belial? Or what part has a believer with an unbeliever?” - 2 Corinthians 6:14-15.
    Christ spoke some of the hardest words regarding our new walk in faith when He said -
“Do not think that I came to bring peace on earth. I did not come to bring peace but a sword. For I have come to ‘set a man against his father, a daughter against her mother, and a daughter-in-law against her mother-in-law’”- Matthew 10:34-35.   
    There will be many among our first circle who will “forgive” our faith in Jesus as long as we keep it on the down-low. Others will not be as tolerant and in many cases recede from the relationship like the outgoing tide, not to return until we “come to our worldly senses.” And that is where the rub is - those of us in Christ are no longer of the world! And because we are no longer of the world we become the subjects of the world’s animosity for the word of God - “Yes, and all who desire to live godly in Christ Jesus will suffer persecution.” - 2 Timothy 3:12. And some of that disdain and persecution will come from our former first circle. 
    It takes a strong faith to remain in Christ despite the misgivings of our family and friends. But remain faithful we must - “Blessed is the man who endures temptation; for when he has been approved, he will receive the crown of life which the Lord has promised to those who love Him.” - James 1:12.
    Let us always remain faithful to our Lord and Savior, Jesus Christ despite the opposition we are sure to face.