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| Those we know who live as enemies of the cross |
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Every church has its share of “believers” who come every week, have their circle of Christian friends, talk about the great Christian books they’ve read, even have Christian artwork hanging prominently in their homes, but persist in living in a manner that totally shames Jesus and ridicules the work he did for them on the cross. Their lives are characterized not by fruit of Christ’s Spirit, but by acts of the sinful nature: “sexual immorality, impurity and debauchery; idolatry and witchcraft; hatred, discord, jealousy, fits of rage, selfish ambition, dissensions, factions and envy; drunkenness, orgies, and the like” (Gal. 5:19-21). I am definitely not talking about an occasional slip up either, or we would all fall into this category.
It’s one thing for those who don’t profess belief in the salvation of Jesus to live like this, but when those who outwardly display a “form of godliness”, who appear to advocate for the Lord, live in a manner so contrary to biblical principles of faith, they truly degrade the cross in the eyes of all who see. If someone claims to worship Jesus, how could they do so much to bring him injury???
Paul encountered a few people like this himself.
3:18 For, as I have often told you before and now say again even with tears, many live as enemies of the cross of Christ.
Throughout the book of Philippians Paul writes about joy in the face of severity in the form of both circumstances and people. Over and over he says rejoice! Yet one thing interrupts his persistent joy, even causing him tears of grief. That’s these folks who’ve been exposed to the brilliant Light of the Gospel, the redeeming love of God, yet refuse to let it transform their lives into something beautiful. Jesus wept for the exact same reason (Luke 19:41-42).
There are people like this in my life. That’s why I wrote this. (There are probably people like this in your life too, friends and perhaps even family members.) I am so tired of praying for them. I’ve put in the time and I’ve cried the tears of grief. I don’t want to waste the time anymore. But to cease praying and caring is to give in to my selfish desires, and that would interfere with my own delicate intimacy with God. So I resign myself to continue, as long as there is the faintest hope of change.
Side note: Can I live as an “enemy of the cross”? As I stated above, this would mean while outwardly claiming Christ as my Savior I’m routinely and habitually displaying the acts of the sinful nature for others to see, thus counteracting the glorious work of Christ on the cross. So I am inclined to say no. But I do pray for God’s enabling grace and mercy to keep me from falling into a lifestyle that surely has severe judgment as its end. May we all find that grace and mercy together. |
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| To add a comment to "Those we know who live as enemies of the cross" |
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| August 08, 2007 |
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Mike, of all the blog you've written this one had touched me deeply. WHY? because I have friends and family members that are right now living the life you described in this blog. They started the journey right (I saw the fruits), but now it is sad to say, something went wrong and they are living that dual life "church and world"... well, more like "world and then church" :-( WHAT A MISERABLE LIFE!!! And you are right... the only thing we can do is being an example of Christ and pray for them.
I better go and do just that, ask God to open their eyes.
Thank you! Lourdes |
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| August 08, 2007 |
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| Thanks for standing with me in this painful place, Lourdes. God bless you sis. ~mike |
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| August 08, 2007 |
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This is a very thoughtful and necessary post. Thank you for having the courage to write it. I understand the brokenness of your heart. And of the Lord's as he looks upon his bride, the church. You may remember that I have reviewed Derek Prince's book, Atonement, and am continuing to blog from it. He presents 9 exchanges purchased for us on the cross and found in scripture. Then he discusses 5 deliverances that are ours when we embrace the cross for ourselves and let it work in us. The last part is where I've been camped lately - trying to better understand why I am not walking in the fullness of Christ that I desire. What I see as the problem is the carnal self, the prideful rebel in me that wants my own way, that is self-centered and self-indulgent. That nature is in all of us and we must deny it expression habitually or we will find ourselves progressively becoming enemies of the Cross of Christ, even after a glorious salvation experience. Thankfully, as you said, God gives grace and mercy so we can walk in victory. But the choice is ours, a choice we must make over and over again when feelings and thoughts come to us contrary to the life of Christ. |
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| August 08, 2007 |
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Yes, we can see Paul's attitude very clearly in these verses. He certainly was not the sort to simply write off people as unsaveable or to wish hell on them even though they persecute him for his ministry. Besides this verse from Philippians, I think of Romans 9:1-5.
A look at all of Chapter 3 shows that Paul is not really thinking of people who revel in the "Gentile sins" (for lack of a better phrase) of worshipping statues or practicing debauchery. I don't know, but perhaps Mike highlighted "hatred, jealousy, dissensions," etc. when quoting Galatians 5:19-21 because these tend to be more "religious sins." Looking at chapter 3, Paul seems to have in mind legalists, perhaps Judaizers who were causing trouble (as described in Acts 15 and Galatians) or perhaps unconverted Jews who were persecuting the churches (a common occurence in Paul's day).
3:2 Look out for the dogs, look out for the evil-workers, look out for those who mutilate the flesh. 3:3 For we are the true circumcision, who worship God in spirit, and glory in Christ Jesus, and put no confidence in the flesh. See also Philippians 1:27-30. In fact, Paul holds himself (pre-conversion) up as a supreme example (Philippians 3:4-6) of someone who was righteous according to the Law yet missed the boat and lived as an "enemy of the cross."
As I pointed out in another recent post of Mike's, both antinomians and legalists walk according to the flesh rather than the Spirit, so both groups are enslaved rather than free (2 Peter 2:18-19 for antinomians, Galatians 3:3, 4:3, 4:9 for legalists). On the other hand, if we belong to Christ, if we walk by the Spirit, then we "will not gratify the desires of the flesh" because we "have crucified the flesh with its passions and desires," and we "are not under the law" (Galatians 5:16-26). And, as Paul says in Philippians 3:7-16, Christians pursue Christ by faith rather than pursue a righteousness of their own that comes from the Law. This involves taking up our cross daily, as Christ says in Matthew 16:24-25, and it involves laying down our lives for others (1 John 3:16-18) through weeping, praying, giving of time and treasure, lovingly confronting their sin, etc. |
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| August 08, 2007 |
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| Great post Mike, as usual! I think we all know someone like this, and perhaps there are even some who will read this that are living examples! All we can do is pray. We cannot make them see things our way, but only pray that the Lord opens their eyes. In the end, they will pay for their actions in this life. Those that truly love and follow God will see His glory. It is sad though, that actions of so called Christians, who live an immoral life, are examples to those who might be searching. I think there are many who think that they can live the way they want, because they are "forgiven", they seem to forget that they need to "go and sin no more". They will be surprised when the day of judgement comes and God will say to them "I never knew you". |
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| August 08, 2007 |
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Jam, I love your posts. But man, it seems like it must take a very long time for you to include all those great links to your scripture references (and a hearty THANK YOU for doing that!)...
Your point concerning walking "according to the flesh rather than the Spirit" is extremely well taken. This is the general concept to which I am referring. It is especially painful to watch friends or family members walking entirely according to the flesh, and thus becoming a slave to its "passions and desires", especially when they dwell so close to the "brilliant Light of the Gospel, the redeeming love of God" (to quote myself). They completely miss out on the magnificent splendor of all Christ accomplished on their behalf at Calvary, and perhaps worse, threaten to jeopardize that realization for others as well - I mean non-believers looking to professed Christians for answers.
Jay, I was very close to impulsively buying a copy of Prince's book that you blogged about. Only problem is I have a significant stack of books I need to read first. But what the heck, I'll probably buy it anyway on your recommendation. One simply can't have enough great books on Jesus' atonement. And THANK YOU for your deeply encouraging post!
Shannon (aha, it's you and not TK), thank you as well for encouraging me. You are right, it is not my job to change anyone's life, that's all God's. And you give some valuable insights into why it may be extremely difficult for people to break out of ungodly patterns of thought. Please pray for me to find wisdom in knowing where to draw the line in terms of helping, encouraging, and counseling such folks. |
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| August 08, 2007 |
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| Deb, you obviously read my mind as I was typing. (See what I wrote to jam.) Thank you (!!) for your kind comment. We pray and we pray and we pray. It is so frustrating! But while I pray, as Shannon said above, I should remember whose job it is to convict (the HS) and not be too hard on myself when things don't change. Stepping back will be hard though, and I'm sure it won't be done w/o tears. |
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| August 08, 2007 |
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| Well, if my comments seem like short dissertations (complete with citations), it's probably because I currently am writing (basically have finished) a dissertation! And, if I'm going to cite things in these online discussions, why not include links to what it is that I'm citing so that others can more easily check the references themselves? :-) |
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| August 08, 2007 |
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| Excellent!! |
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| August 08, 2007 |
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Mike~ I agee with you that "one simply cannot have enought great books on Jesus' Atonement," and thought this might be a good place to ask what you recommend. You already know my favorite :) |
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| August 09, 2007 |
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[unrelated thought]
...this was one of those blogs that wrote itself. In other words, I didn't have it in "draft mode" for a few days before posting it. After rereading it, I must say I feel pretty good about it, as far as spontaneously written blogs go. It was a dose of honesty though, so I really hope it didn't come across too harshly. I deeply, deeply appreciate the words of encouragement from my fellow believers. The Christian walk can be very painful at times, even when walked in the greatest love. In fact, can there be love at all without pain? I don't think so. ~mike |
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| August 09, 2007 |
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| Great post Bro. Amen to you. |
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| August 09, 2007 |
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| This was well thought-out Mike. I like this one alot! |
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| August 09, 2007 |
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Thank you Patrick! (write again, you've been on a roll lately)
Thanks Rich! (where have you been, mister? you can't just up and leave us any ol' time!) |
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| August 09, 2007 |
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Sorry ole buddy. I been on vacation, just got back about an hour and a half ago. Decided to jump on here and see what my friends was up to.
I got some good lake vacation stories to share, hope you're ready!
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| August 15, 2007 |
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| To me it's often been a balancing act. I don't want to be judgemental, but I wanta follow tha ones that are walking the walk. Of course the enemies of the cross inside the church can be more harmfull that those on the outside. |
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