One of the most common tropes or stereotypes in storytelling is “enemies to lovers.” Essentially, the characters who find themselves pitted against each other in the beginning, eventually form bonds of mutual respect and then love. A tale as old as time. I would argue that man (you, me, us) and God are the original enemies-to-lovers scenario.

Colossians 1:21 says, “Once you were alienated from God and were enemies in your minds because of your evil behavior.” This phrase indicates a sharp contrast between a person’s pre-Christian past and their present standing in Christ (The New Bible Commentary). Every person since the beginning of time has messed up and turned from the God who created them. You, me, and everyone else has been or still is an enemy of God.

But God gave us a chance to become his beloved people. Romans 5:10 says, “For if, while we were God’s enemies, we were reconciled to him through the death of his Son, how much more, having been reconciled, shall we be saved through his life!” According to commentators, The word “reconciled” describes a state of resolution between two formerly hostile parties. Jesus’ death and resurrection allowed us to become restored to a perfect relationship with him, creating a positive peace. Those of us who experience the fullness and abundance of God’s love must never forget that we were once enemies of him and are, therefore, no better than anyone else.

Have you ever thought of someone as an irredeemable enemy of God? Maybe it was someone on the other side of the political aisle? Or someone who believes in something different than you? Someone you just flat out don’t think cares about other people? Or maybe you’ve looked at Christians and thought that you aren’t like them and never could be. They’re religious. You’re not.

The truth is that none of us were born good. We are all enemies of God, until he extends his love past our anger and changes our hearts. It’s time we stop acting morally superior and entitled to God’s love. We didn’t earn it, and it’s never ours to withhold from others. The more enemies we can bring into God’s love, the more beautiful and fulfilling our lives will be.