For many of us we can remember exactly where we were when we first heard about the devastation of the Word Trade Center Towers.  Although etched on the blackboards of our minds, for most of us the tragedy of that day is still distant, not just geographically but personally.

On the other hand, we know of attacks and we know of enemies that do not capture international headlines yet their impact on our lives is devastating.  The reason is simple: the attacks are against us and the perpetrators are our enemies.

Centuries ago, in a time before jets and skyscrapers, a man named David was hunted and haunted by his enemy King Saul.  Saul wanted David destroyed, he wanted his life snuffed out.

On two occasions God providentially delivered Saul into the hands of David.  David had a clear opportunity to avenge himself against his enemy, yet both times David stayed his hand out of respect for the fact that Saul still represented God’s chosen leader.

I can’t imagine that was an easy choice for David.  By letting the opportunity pass him by, David was entrusting his life and well-being into God’s care, rather than trying to secure it by his own efforts.  He was also trusting in God’s character, that a holy God would not shrug off evil but that true justice would prevail.

Don’t we face the same choice when we are attacked?  I don’t mean that we contemplate taking out our “enemy” (or we shouldn’t!), rather I mean we have to decide whether to trust God and his justice or to take matters into our own hands.

What David exemplified in this situation is what Jesus taught.  Jesus put it this way, “But I say to you, Love your enemies and pray for those who persecute you, so that you may be sons of your Father who is in heaven.” (Mt 5:44-45)  That kind of response is counter-instinctive, it just isn’t today’s norm.

That is my main point, I used our reaction to “enemies” to illustrate it.  Following Jesus is radical, he calls us to live a life that in many ways runs against the current of contemporary culture.  He is asking for our loyal allegiance not some tame and casual association.

Here is the question I want you to ponder: What keeps men from making that kind of commitment to Jesus?  What keeps men from serving under Jesus’ leadership?