Enemies of the Cross

In Philippians 3:18, Paul warns the Philippian Christians about people who “walk as enemies of the cross of Christ.” What type of people are these enemies? Verse 19 describes them with these words, “Their end is destruction, their god is their belly, and they glory in their shame, with minds set on earthly things.”

That description is not far off from much of modern society’s focus. “Their god is their belly” refers to people who place physical satisfaction and pleasure above all else. “They glory in their shame” describes people who not only commit sin but are proud of it. Perhaps most pervasive of all are those who simply set their minds on earthly things—those who are more concerned about the things of this life instead of things that pertain to their heavenly citizenship. Do any of those descriptions fit you or me? If so, we ought to take heed and change lest we find ourselves at enmity with the Lord!