This phrase, Enemies of the Cross, sounds quite offensive. But it’s not the kind of enemies that you would think of. It’s not talking about those outside of the Christian faith who oppose Christianity.

This phrase in Philippians 3:18-19 refers to Christians who have missed their focus on the cross of Christ. Verse 19 says that their end is destruction and their God is their belly and their Glory is their shame. In other words they Glory in things that are shameful. Such Christians are enemies of the cross.

Here is the text of that passage:

For many walk, of whom I have told you often, and now tell you weeping, that they are enemies of the cross of Christ: whose end is destruction, whose god is their belly, and whose glory is in their shame— who set their mind on earthly things. (Philippians 3:18-19 NKJV)

It’s not that we should ignore our earthly life. We cannot do that. The Apostle Paul is specifying that the ultimate and deep desire of every believer should be the return of Christ. Then all things will be restored and all things will be made perfect.

We have to think of this Earthly life that we live in. But our ultimate focus and desire is Christ himself. This life, and all it’s imperfections, and all our failures cause a lot of heartache and pain. But if our ultimate desire and focus is Christ himself and his eventual return, we have hope.

But too often, we get immersed in “fixing” every part of our lives, wanting to make it conform to the image we have created. Yet we ignore the reality that we cannot fix everything. It’s a broken world we live in, and we are broken people. Let’s keep our hearts focused on Christ who will one day restore everything. Otherwise, WE become Enemies of the Cross of Christ.

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