The Enemies of the Cross
Phil.3:18 - (For many walk, of whom I have told you often, and now even weeping, that they are the enemies of the cross of Christ: Whose end is destruction, whose God is their belly, whose glory is in their shame, who mind earthly things.)
Paul exhorts us a few verses earlier to “press toward the mark of the high calling of God in Christ Jesus”. He uses himself as an example and warns us to guard against being led astray by those who walk in their own flesh and not in the Spirit. The verse I quoted here is very telling in its verbiage, as it says that some are “enemies of the cross”. Think about that phrase, he did not even say enemies of truth, or enemies of the gospel, or some other phrase that would have been appropriate. He used the cross.
Follow me in this vein. The preaching of the cross must have been primal and significant if that was used to identify the movement called the church. Can that be said of the church today? Is the cross and its redemption front and center of our theology, both practical and doctrinal? Are the sufferings of Christ placed before us on a consistent basis by our leaders? When was the last time you heard a series on the cross? Paul did not say these men were enemies of success, or marriage, or humanitarian efforts, he said they were enemies of the cross. Oh how dangerous it is to be an enemy of the cross of Christ.
It would be better to be an enemy of the state, or an enemy of Michael the Archangel, than an enemy of Christ’s cross. To be called an enemy of the only offer of redemption God ever made is an eternally unsettling proposition. God wounds His own Son and will He abide those who mock it? If anything it should be handled with sacredness and awe recognizing it is the cross of Christ and the mystery of God’s magnificent redemption. The cross is the core, the foundation, and the essence of what it means to be a Christian, for without the cross we are still in our sins. Without the cross God still lays in wait to avenge with no mercy, no grace, and no sacrifice. Be an enemy of Paul or Peter or even Mary, but never become an enemy of the cross of Christ. The enemies of the cross do so to their own peril.
But look again what the great apostle says concerning himself. He confirms that he has told them many times about these enemies which means that Paul was a faithful teacher that warned his flock. There are many enemies of the cross today in many different ways and depths and we must warn others about their error and sin. Like a doctrinal four legged relay race, some are on the first leg and some have taken the baton on the last leg, but all are on the same race to turn away from the cross. Let us remember, to downplay or dilute or reinterpret the cross is just as deceptive as denying it altogether. And those in positions of ecclesiastical authority are obligated to warn the flock about these grievous wolves.
I believe many who doctrinally massage the cross are deceived and do it in ignorance, albeit with vigor. But we cannot let motives or personalities dilute our vision concerning the sufferings of our Master, His crimson wounds cry out against us if we dare compromise on this the most sacred of all events. How can we betray the ultimate expression of unimaginable love ever exhibited for us, His sworn enemies? Stand before that wooden altar and watch as the Lamb writhes in mortal and immortal anguish for His sinful mockers. Our allegiance must be unwavering, militant and yet surrendered, celebrational and yet worshipful, shouts of joy and seasons of tearful silence, and in the end how can we ever be privy or even stand by and see the glorious cross of our Lord and Savior defiled at the hands of post modern wanderers? What would we, what could we ever say when we see the Risen Christ as He displays His atoning wounds to be admired before the entirety of heaven if we but compromise on that centerpiece of all spiritual and historical revelations?
Remove your wicked hands from off Golgotha’s glory and if you must use them use them to cover your carnal mouths. No one must approach the awesome image of that Roman punishment with spiritual sandals still adorning your fleshly feet. Away with you present day mockers who recoil at God’s scarlet redemption and attempt to disgrace it by meaningless words of earthly explanations and definitions. Only tear filled hearts that understand and yet still recognize divine mystery can ever really see what God has wrought at the hands of wicked men and the blood of His own Son. The incarnation has arrived at its purpose and the Passover Lamb is sacrificed for the bloodless doorposts of the entire world.
Hail, look now and see! There are many such door posts who now bear the unmistakable red blush of God’s eternal atonement, humbly and proudly displayed on the earthly houses of forgiven sinners. And with the redemptive testimonies of God's elect, the enemies of God and His cross are confounded. Oh my! Oh the cross! Archaic and yet modern; lovely and grotesque; judgment and yet redemption; Oh that cross! Please all you doctrinal rebels, please do not touch that which is our foundation. You will one day answer for your folly not before man, but before the Great and Terrible God who once gave His only begotten Son but who will exact His justice upon all unbelief. You do not fear God today, but tomorrow brings an astounding judgment from which there is no escape. I warn you, in Jesus’ name, repent while there is still time.
But again see what the great apostle says, that he speaks through tears. Where are those same tears today? Tears that flow from the indignity that is being done to our Lord Jesus and tears that beg God for the power to stem the tide and herald His cross once again. As we cling to Calvary’s tree we must weep for those who have become its enemy. How can the sacrificial expression, given in love, be treated so meanly? And with all these modern words that strip Christ of His glorious atonement whirling around the spiritual community how can we remain tearless? It is our duty, our privilege to weep between the porch and the altar in brokenness and faith. But do not see these tears as spiritual weakness, they indeed are our strength in Him.
Weep and howl all you that mix the sacred with the profane.
Lord Jesus, we have watched as the enemy has come in like a flood even to the blaspheming of your holy cross. Forgive us, Lord, and stretch out your hand against those who would deceive sinners concerning you redemption. There is no God like You and there is no redemption except Your cross. We bow before You and worship the One who still bears our wounds. The cross is our only glory and by faith we hold its atoning light for the whole world to see. Make short work of your enemies, Lord, not for our sake but Yours.
Amen.
Amen.
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