For, as I have often told you before and now tell you again even with tears, many live as enemies of the cross of Christ.
Summary: Paul touches on a topic that challenges every thoughtful and well-meaning Christian. Ironically, those who are not thoughtful and well-meaning might not feel challenged at all.
This verse shifts gears rather rapidly. If the resulting head-bob makes your neck hurt, don’t feel alone. We are all in the same situation.
Up to this point, Paul has been explaining the “surpassing worth of knowing Christ Jesus” (v. 8). Now, suddenly, he points our minds to those who live as “enemies of the cross.”
Why?
What does this mean?
This is a difficult topic, and definitive answers are hard to come by. Fortunately, this is a meditation and not a definitive answer! So let’s meditate on some passages that might help us understand.
When Jesus showed up and started his ministry, he immediately started irritating people because his message did not align with the Jewish people’s expectations for the Messiah. Jesus didn’t come in power, majesty, or glory. Instead, he came as a humble carpenter of dubious lineage.
The Jewish leaders were, quite frankly, offended.
Yet it was their job to take care of God’s people and lead them in God’s ways. Instead, they took the Mosaic laws, pumped them full of steroids, and saddled the people with more rules than they could ever hope to comply with (Luke 11:46).
This is why Jesus asks, “Why do you call me, ‘Lord, Lord,’ and do not do what I say?” (Luke 6:46)
Paul has noticed the same thing among Christians. Some people claim to be believers in Jesus, but teach things inconsistent with the Gospel (Philippians 2:21, 3:2).
The Bible tells us that “everyone who calls on the name of the Lord will be saved” (Acts 2:21). Then, in another place, Jesus says, “Not everyone who says to me, ‘Lord, Lord,’ will enter the kingdom of heaven…” (Matthew 7:21). How is this possible?
One answer has to do with what is in a person’s heart.
The humble person “calls on the name of the Lord.” Such a person has a humble heart. They are the ones who are doing the will of the Father (Matthew 7:21b). And what is the will of the Father? Simply this:
“To act justly and to love mercy and to walk humbly with your God.” (Micah 6:8)
But what about those who think only of themselves? In his letter to Titus, Paul says:
“They claim to know God, but by their actions they deny him.” (Titus 1:16a)
Could it be that this is the answer we are looking for?
Application: Be humble before the Lord.
Food for Thought: When it comes to faith in Christ, how do actions speak louder than words?
Actions, and the reason and manner in which they are done, are a testament to the true condition of the heart. We can claim that we trust in the Lord for our provisions, but then hold back from giving to a person in need, out of an abundance we have, because we feel we do not have enough, or they “do not qualify.” We can claim the Lord gives us strength, but then deny action because we feel unwilling or unable. We can claim that the victory is the Lord’s, but then act out of fear, or not act out of fear. The point is that our faith is alive in our works. Our faith is strengthened in our works. Our acting in faith not only fortifies the faith in us, but shows others what faith can do. Christ has given us our salvation by our faith, and He lives within us by our submission to Him, and in doing His good work. People can see Him living in us.
James 2:15-17 If a brother or sister is poorly clothed and lacking in daily food, and one of you says to them, “Go in peace, be warmed and filled,” without giving them the things needed for the body, what good is that? So also faith by itself, if it does not have works, is dead.
Thank you Chris!
Nicely said!
Very good CH.
I know I am probably being over simplistic, but my thought is: Words reveal what we know should be in our heart, actions reveal what is actually in our heart.
Thank you, Rich!
Simple is good!
Thank you CH! can’t add to this.