I can’t stop thinking about what the Apostle Paul wrote in Philippians 3:18-19. “For MANY live as enemies of the cross of Christ; I have often told you of them, and now I tell you even with tears. Their end is destruction, their god is the belly, and their glory is in their shame; their minds are set on earthly things.” I can’t help but scratch my head and ask, “What year did he write that?”
Interestingly, Paul did not say that MANY are living as enemies of Christ but of the Cross of Christ. Why is that? Could it be that people just love Jesus because they can manipulate and twist His words so that He is for all the things they are for? We do it all the time. We can pull His words out of context or maneuver God’s word around so much that we can make just about anything biblical. But— the Cross of Christ—not so much. We might misunderstand the whole meaning of the Cross and its beautiful and deep implications, but the bottom line is that a cross is an instrument of death. And Christ’s cross is an instrument of sacrificial death. Jesus died for the sake of others. Perhaps that’s the reason people are in such opposition to it. The Cross is all about sacrificial love.
I can’t help but think of the great old gospel song that says, “The cross made the difference for me.” That’s awesome. It should. But, if the Cross hasn’t made a difference for me and you, then is it the Cross of Christ? Paul explains that these enemies of the Cross of Christ only live for themselves. Their minds are set on earthly things. An earthly mindset is preoccupied with self—my wants, my desires. It’s all about making things great for me and mine. This mindset chases power, riches, and all those worldly systems that contrast the Kingdom of God. Christ’s cross was the instrument of death where Jesus laid down His life for the good of others. Remember, Jesus said, “If any of you wants to be my follower, you must give up your way, take up your cross, and follow me” (Matthew 16:24).
If we are not aligned with His values and His will, we’re enemies of the Cross of Christ. This is a stark reality. What does Christ value? Love. Equality. Kindness. Grace. Mercy. Forgiveness. Peace for all—and the list goes on. These are not just words, but principles we should live by. The ‘otherness’ aspect of the Gospel is something we can’t ignore. We often follow Christ all the way to the Cross, but unless we align with what the Cross of Christ stands for, we are enemies of the Cross. If we take the Cross of Christ seriously and embrace it, we have to see it as an invitation to do as Jesus did—die a sacrificial death for the good of others. The Cross of Christ can’t make a difference just for me; it has to make a difference for my neighbor, too.
As we travel through the season of Lent, we are going to come face to face with the Cross of Christ. What are we going to do with it? The Cross of Christ says, there is no higher call than love, and there is no greater gift than grace. Are we going to oppose it or embrace it? Paul lamented over the MANY in his day that chose to oppose it. He lamented because he knew their end would be destruction. Ouch! Crosses hurt, but we know it’s worth it because resurrection follows.
Holy Spirit, search my heart and show me where I am an enemy of the Cross of Christ, not aligned with You and Your Kingdom values and principles.
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