RPG Adults
ENEMIES OF THE CROSS OF CHRIST
MONDAY, JUNE 5
Philippians 3:18-19
Romans 16:17-18
“…they are the enemies
of the cross of Christ.”
ENEMIES OF THE CROSS OF CHRIST
As Paul encouraged the Philippians to be followers of them that walk well in the Lord, he also warned them to beware of those who did not walk well, who were in fact enemies of the cross of Christ! He was possibly warning of those whom he had mentioned earlier in the epistle – those who preached Christ out of envy and strife (Phil 1:15-16), or those who would try to cause them to trust in their own confidence and not Christ (Phil 3:2-3). These were the ones he had been warning of, and now Paul wrote with tears concerning them, for they were adversaries that the Philippian Christians had to be careful of. Their ways were in complete opposition against God, and they brought harm and destruction to the lives of the people around them. He warned that their end was destruction. They might seem to have some measure of success in the present but it was certain that their end would not be an enviable or pleasant one.
What is so wrong about such people? Essentially, they are self-seeking individuals who only care about themselves. The gods that they worship are their own appetites, their own passions, their own wants. All that they do in this life is geared towards pleasing and indulging their carnal selves. Their minds are set only on earthly things. They glory in their own accomplishments, their own vain deeds, not realising that it will only result in their own shame and destruction. Some of such people may even claim to be Christians and be found in churches. However, they have no inclination to seek after God nor obey His will. They are only interested in gratifying themselves.
This is the common philosophy and mindset of the world. If we follow such people, we shall be influenced by them, and very soon we shall end up like them.
The message is clear. We must avoid such people. Their influence can so quickly harm us, lead us astray, and turn us away from the spiritual priorities we ought to have. Instead, we must seek after God, and follow after those who seek the Lord in sincerity and in truth.
THOUGHT: What can I do to help the enemies of the cross?
PRAYER: Father, may Thou help me to be discerning that I will know to steer clear of any who would oppose the cross of Christ.