Westminster Confession of Faith Chapter 8 Article 5

Are there are times and situations where we can honor the Lord while working alongside his enemies?

The sermon presents a unified theological vision centered on Christ's perfect obedience and sacrificial death as the full satisfaction of God's justice, securing both reconciliation and eternal inheritance for the elect, while also illustrating through David's life how believers may navigate moral complexity by cooperating with worldly powers without compromising their allegiance to God. It emphasizes that Christ's work is not merely a transaction to appease divine wrath, but a righteous fulfillment of divine justice through the eternal Spirit, enabling God to remain both just and merciful. Drawing from 1 Samuel 27, the narrative of David's time in Philistine territory exemplifies shrewd, faithful living in hostile circumstances—using deception to protect himself and his people while obeying God's earlier commands to destroy the Canaanites, thus demonstrating that godly influence can be exerted even through alliances with enemies. The sermon calls the church to emulate this wisdom by engaging with a hostile world, celebrating shared moral convictions with non-believers, and advancing God's kingdom through discernment, courage, and integrity, all while remaining vigilant against spiritual compromise and trusting in God's sovereign provision even in exile.