“Brethren, join in following my example, and note those who so walk, as you have us for a pattern. For many walk, of whom I have told you often, and now tell you even weeping, that they are the enemies of the cross of Christ: whose end is destruction, whose god is their belly, and whose glory is in their shame—who set their mind on earthly things. For our citizenship is in heaven, from which we also eagerly wait for the Savior, the Lord Jesus Christ, who will transform our lowly body that it may be conformed to His glorious body, according to the working by which He is able even to subdue all things to Himself.” Philippians 3:17-21
We recently did a podcast on cultural Christianity and I was greatly convicted by my own need to sift out the thoughts, speech, and actions in my life, which reflect that I have set my mind on earthly things.
There is arguably no greater enemy on a battlefield than the enemy who lives inside the camp.
I don’t wanna be that enemy do you? If we are citizens of heaven, then every aspect of our life should reflect that citizenship. This world is full of distractions. Our environment is full of little gods that threaten to take the place of the Lord Jesus Christ as our center.
The easy path is to do my yardwork instead of having my quiet time. My yardwork should be done for the glory of God. I can become a slave to my law practice, or I can allow my law practice to serve the glory of God. I can spend all my time and money on my children or I can spend my time and money showing them what it looks like to make Christ the center and trust their lives to him. And I can disproportionately focus on food and exercise or I can focus on glorifying God and then let God adjust my life to produce moderation and balance.
God is much better at my life than I am; and if I want to glorify HIM, I need to allow HIM to do my life HIS way.
Otherwise, I will become an enemy of the cross. The fact is, even our daily toil when done in our own way, and by our own strength can make us enemies of the cross. Jesus said you are either “for me or against me” and the implication is there is no in between.
What made Paul weep?
I’m sure he wept for the people who have chosen to make their fleshly desires the center of their life, instead of the spiritual desires, which come from God himself. Paul gave up everything for the sake of Jesus Christ. He was beaten and imprisoned, I’m sure that when he looked at the pretenders it had to be painful. It was painful because he longed for them to have the genuine article. It was also painful because he knew the destruction that is wrought by a lukewarm Christian.
My friend, we are in a spiritual battle. The eternity of people around us is at stake. We have been given a divine mission to glorify God and carry out the great commission of Jesus. His righteousness can be manifested in every arena of our life. It is imperative that we develop the attitudes of Christ and the mind of Christ so that we can carry out the mission of Christ.
The lives of those around us depend on it.
