In Philippians, the apostle Paul speaks of those who are enemies of the cross of Christ; These walk according to the flesh, erring and acting differently from what this man of God teaches.
The apostle’s warning is not superficial nor casual. Paul speaks from pastoral pain, from the sorrow of seeing people who once heard the truth now choosing a different path. The cross of Christ represents sacrifice, obedience, humility, and surrender, yet many reject these values because they conflict with the desires of the flesh.
That is why many will be called, they will be shamed and they will be condemned for their actions, for walking in search of material things; This will be your downfall.
Scripture repeatedly teaches that the pursuit of earthly satisfaction without regard for God leads to spiritual blindness. When material gain, pleasure, or self-interest becomes the center of life, the heart slowly distances itself from the truth of the gospel.
We can see that Paul sadly realizes the way these people walk, and he had these same people as enemies of the cross.
Paul does not speak with hatred, but with tears. In the previous verses of this chapter, he openly states that he weeps for those who live this way. His sorrow shows us that being an enemy of the cross is not merely an outward rebellion, but an inward rejection of Christ’s redemptive work.
Next, we will see Paul who expresses how bad he feels when he sees the way in which each day these people become enemies of the cross of Christ.
Whose end is destruction, whose God is their belly, and whose glory is in their shame, who mind earthly things.)
Philippians 3:19
This verse exposes a serious spiritual condition. When the appetite of the flesh governs a person’s life, God is replaced by desire. Paul describes people who boast in what should cause shame, showing how distorted their values have become.
Today, we can see the great freedom that exists in people; Their total concentration is on the earthly, and this is leading them to perdition. Because of their freedom, they are reckless people and do what their hearts dictate.
Modern society often celebrates freedom without responsibility. Many believe that freedom means doing whatever one desires, yet true biblical freedom is not the absence of limits, but the power to live righteously through Christ. Without God’s guidance, freedom becomes bondage.
God wants none of these things for his people; He wants a people who walk according to his will, that we can walk under the law that He established so that we can serve pure and blameless before Him.
God’s commandments are not burdensome; they are protective. His will leads to life, peace, and spiritual stability. When believers walk according to His truth, they reflect the character of Christ and honor the sacrifice made on the cross.
We are free from sin and death; That is why we must follow him, removing everything bad from us, so that we do not become enemies of the cross of Christ, since many got out of control and became enemies of the cross of Christ, where we know that our Lord He paid a price for us.
The cross is the place where grace and truth meet. Jesus gave His life willingly so that humanity could be reconciled with God. Rejecting the cross is rejecting forgiveness, transformation, and eternal hope.
As believers, we are called to examine our hearts daily. Are our priorities aligned with heaven or with the world? Are we living for eternal values or temporary pleasures? These questions help us remain faithful to the message of the cross.
Let us not be ashamed; Let us seek the Lord and cling to the cross of our Lord. God bless you.
May we always remember that our citizenship is in heaven, as Paul later reminds us in this same chapter. Let us walk worthy of the gospel, honoring Christ with our lives and remaining firm in the truth of His sacrifice.