TEXT: Philippians 3:18-19 (CSB) – “ For I have often told you, and now say again with tears, that many live as enemies of the cross of Christ. Their end is destruction; their god is their stomach; their glory is in their shame; and they are focused on earthly things.”
As we stated yesterday, Paul is writing an epistle of practicality. Not “seated in the heavenlies” as in Ephesians. Not a great theological exposition as in Romans. But “Rubber hits the Road” Christianity for us to follow.
Remember, he is writing to the Saints in Christ at Philippi. This is a message of Joy and Hope in the midst of adverse circumstances.
So far in this letter, we have viewed the philosophy on our purpose in life – “To Live Christ.” We have viewed the pattern for living – “Your attitude should be the same as that of Christ Jesus.” We are now viewing the prize of living as Paul summarizes its meaning in his life. Now, we are being urged by Paul to PRESS to the mark – the prize. But to get there, he leads us down a couple of sideroads.
Yesterday we took the sideroad that spoke to us about “Mark and Walk” as Paul charged them to imitate him as he imitated Christ.
Today, we will travel down Sideroad #2 as Paul will urge us to “Mark the negative example.”
Paul said that he sought to provide them an example of the correct way to walk, and challenged them to imitate him in this. Then, he follows that up by saying, “For I have often told you, and now say again with tears, that many live as enemies of the cross of Christ. Their end is destruction; their god is their stomach; their glory is in their shame; and they are focused on earthly things.”
What a condemnation. He is warning the believers of that day (an us today) that there are many who may talk the talk, but they do not walk the walk. Sounded like they were believers, but in reality, they are worldly, hedonistic people. Their words may have sounded like a believer, but their hearts and minds are set in the world’s philosophies.
Paul goes on to condemn and call them enemies of the cross and then he described them in four ways – He warned the Philippian believers that the negative example was grounded in:
· “Their end is destruction” – they were facing eternal punishment from God.
· “Their god is their stomach” – they were guilty of worshipping earthly things – things such as sexual immorality, lust, and gluttony.
· “Their glory is in their shame” – they are known by the deeds they do, and they seemed to relish in their guilt.
· “They are focused on earthly things” – they do not have a heavenly mindset, but an earthly one.
Instead of focusing on Christ, they focused on the philosophy of the lost. We are not to follow these people.
Today, pause and consider –
· Who are your “heroes?”
· Who do you try to be like in your words and actions?
· Who would you really like to be like?
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