"The Enemies of the Cross of Christ"

“The Enemies of the Cross of Christ”

 

For, as I have often told you before and now tell you again even with tears, many live as enemies of the cross of Christ.  Their destiny is destruction, their god is their stomach, and their glory is in their shame.  Their mind is set on earthly things.      Philippians 3:18-19

 

The Apostle Paul was deeply concerned for the SPIRITUAL WELFARE of the believers in Philippi.  So much so, that he was moved to tears as he OFTEN warned them of those who were considered to be ENEMIES of the CROSS of Christ.  Those who preached and taught a different doctrine than that of Paul.  The Apostle Paul preached and taught ONLY the TRUE WORD of God. 

 

These false teachers trusted in their own abilities and achievements, instead of trusting in the sufficiency of Jesus Christ alone.  This was proof enough to know that they were NOT children of the Living God.  And that they were headed for DESTRUCTION, this does not mean complete annihilation but being totally separated from the presence of the Almighty God throughout eternity.

 

“Their god is their stomach,” tells us that they were ONLY interested in the desires of their own hearts, and more or less, gorged themselves on their own sinful cravings. 

 

“Their glory was in their shame,” instead of giving God glory, they took all the PRAISE and ACCOLADES for themselves.  They were PROUD of their sinful actions.

 

“Their minds were on earthly things,” They had the mindset of depending on EARTHLY THINGS, to try and gain God’s merits.  Paul warned the Believers in Philippi, to NOT live such a lifestyle.  It was TRULY NOT God’s plans.

 

This is a VERY IMPORTANT message for ALL BELIEVERS today, we SHOULD FOLLOW the Word of God and model our lives after those who are TRUE BELIEVERS.  Those who are NOT  interested in the desires and sinful cravings of the heart, those who do NOT seek PRAISE and ACCOLADES for themselves, and are NOT PROUD of their sinful actions, and those who have NOT set their minds ONLY on earthly things.  But have wholly set their HEARTS and SOULS on FOLLOWING God and His plans, and TRUSTING HIM for all their needs. 

 

Are you like the false teachers?  Following your own selfish ambitions and sinful desires?  If you have NOT given your HEART and LIFE to God then your answer has to be YES to both questions.  You, then are considered to be an ENEMY of the CROSS of CHRIST, and your destiny is DESTRUCTION in HELL, the place of ETERNAL torment, torture, agony, pain, heartache, and despair, with NO WAY of ESCAPE.  Your ONLY HOPE, is to come to God, with a TRUE REPENTANT HEART, CONFESSING your sins to Him, and asking Him for His FORGIVENESS, BELIEVING, with ALL your HEART that Jesus died for YOU, and is ALIVE in Heaven, making intercession for you, before God, then ACCEPT His gift of SALVATION, and DON’T be an ENEMY of the CROSS of Christ, but FOLLOW Him to Heaven, your NEW HOME, where you will live for ALL ETERNITY.  Do it NOW, while you still can.  He’s waiting and coming SOON!!!