Sunday, November 16, 2014

Enemies of the Cross of Christ Philippians 3:18

As Paul the apostle wrote to the church located in Philippi, he desire that they follow after him as they observed him following after Jesus Christ. He knew there were those who were among them who would attempt to alter the church members' walk with Jesus, and in chapter three and verse eighteen Paul informs the church members that these people were “enemies of the cross of Christ”. We read:

(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:

The verse begins, “(For many walk, of whom I have told you often, and now tell you even weeping,...” After giving the Philippians instruction that would help them in their relationships with God, Paul lets them know parenthetically “For many walk” which means “large groups or much people, make their way, progress or use opportunities” “of whom I have told you often” or “as I have spoken, affirmed, advised, commanded or directed you about them frequently”. Paul gave insight to his care and concern when he wrote “and now tell you even weeping” which means he told them while “moaning, lamenting, bewailing and while weeping as the sign of pain and grief for the thing signified”. No doubt Paul the apostle cared greatly for what he was about to say unto them.

The verse goes on to say, “...that they are the enemies of the cross of Christ:” Paul revealed his anguish because of those who “walk” as “enemies” or “hating, hostile, and opposing” “the cross of Christ”. These foes to the “cross of Christ” or the gospel of Jesus Christ caused Paul great grief and anguish, and he desired that the Philippians know about their desire to draw them away from their relationship with Him. Though Paul shared the gospel because of the “cross of Christ”, these foes were set against it.

As we think about Paul's words concerning “weeping” over the “enemies of the cross of Christ”, perhaps our minds will go back to the time when he also was as an enemy of Jesus. We read in the book of Acts in chapter nine and verse one and two:

And Saul, yet breathing out threatenings and slaughter against the disciples of the Lord, went unto the high priest, and desired of him letters to Damascus to the synagogues, that if he found any of this way, whether they were men or women, he might bring them bound unto Jerusalem.

It may be that this was part of the reason for Paul's tears. He knew what it was to be an enemy of the cross of Christ. Jesus said in the gospel of Matthew in chapter twelve and verse thirty, “He that is not with me is against me; and he that gathers not with me scatters abroad.”, and again in the gospel of Luke in chapter eleven and verse twenty-three, “He that is not with me is against me: and he that gathers not with me scatters.” People who are not for “the cross of Christ” are as “enemies” against it. The questions we should ponder is “Do we weep for them?” “Do we weep because of them?” “Are we as concerned as Paul was for those who might be influence from their adverse ways?” As we consider these things, may the Lord Jesus create within us the passion and care that was exhibited by Paul when he thought about the “enemies of the cross of Christ”, and may our eyes be filled with tears over those over whom they have influence.

Next time Paul tells the Philippians the fate of the enemies of the cross of Christ, so read ahead, and we shall join together then.

Until tomorrow...there is more...

Look for the daily devotional book “Equipped for Battle – From Generation to Generation”, the marriage book “So, You Want to Be Married”, and the new devotional “One Year in the Sermon on the Mount” in all major bookstore sites, www.amazon.com ; www.barnesandnobles.com ; download to e-books, and find it locally at www.mrzlc.com/bookstore.




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