Enmity
And that he might reconcile both unto God in one body by the cross, having slain the enmity thereby: (Ephesians 2:16 KJV)
Have you exchanged greetings with another person who replied, “I am highly favored?” When this happens, I am usually lost for words. Should I agree with the same sentiment or disagree based on the premise that I am more highly favored? Since everyone wants God's favor, I find myself in a quandary. Should my reply reflect the condition of humanity or my disposition toward God? In my opinion, the Scriptures use a unique term when God’s highly favored becomes lacking, which is enmity.
Enmity is an unfamiliar word, and we forget its usage during normal conversation. Subsequently, the meaning of enmity is very relevant. Hostilities, animosities, and animus are similar words that indicate enmity. Hence, enmity is the opposite of favor. During the fall of humanity, the Scriptures record these words from God, "I will put enmity between thee and the woman, between thy seed and her seed." (Genesis 3:15). Later in the New Testament, the Apostle James wrote, the friendship of the world is enmity with God (James 4:4). Even the Apostle Paul penned in Romans 9:7 that the carnal mind is enmity against God. Enmity comes natural when we favor ourselves more than others. So, when someone says, I am highly favored, my mind shifts to a comparison mode of who is receiving more favors, the person responding or the one who is listening attentively. In other words, enmity arises when the comparison drives a response from another. Because of favoritism, the normal tendency is to think that one is more favorable than another.
Yet, when Paul penned his epistles to the Ephesians, the concept that he implored to his readers is oneness. First, he explained the origin of the walls of separation, especially between the Jews and the Gentiles. Then, Paul assured the readers that Christ broke the walls of separation and created peace among all people. In other words, Jesus our Savior eradicated any enmity dwelling within the believers and replaced it with peace through oneness.
For he is our peace, who hath made both one, and hath broken down the middle wall of partition between us; And that he might reconcile both unto God in one body by the cross, having slain the enmity thereby: (Ephesians 2:14,16 KJV)
This eradication of enmity is absolute. Oftentimes, believers lean toward common biases because of the origin of enmity. Despite this, believers must recognize the uniqueness of individuality. In contrast to sameness, God creates differences among people. Because God is excellence, you can only experience excellence when differences come together in oneness. Think of light, for example, as a series of wavelengths. One wavelength corresponds to a particular color, another with a different color, and so on. Yet, we see different colors because of wavelengths coming together as reflected in our eyes. Likewise, because Christ eradicated enmity, believers can reflect the peace radiating from their faith. Remember, mixing the colors in different proportions make all the colors of light. Likewise, believers who allow differences by create oneness always leads to God’s glory.
As a result, switching from enmity to peace leads to an understanding that all believers are highly favored.
Christ is the one who holds the building together and makes it grow into a holy temple for the Lord. And you are part of that building Christ has built as a place for God's own Spirit to live. (Ephesians 2:21-22 CEV)
All believers are highly favored