“…The 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 3:18-19)
The Bible is a book of contrasts. There is the contrast of darkness and light, of good and evil, of peace and war, of heaven and hell. The Bible contains contrasts that are too numerous to mention here.
The Bible also contrasts examples of people who have followed Godly leaders and of others who have followed ungodly leaders. The Apostle Paul encourages his readers to follow him as he follows the Lord. On the other hand, there are the enemies of the cross of Christ that folks may follow. But he declares up front the final outcome of the lives of the enemies of the cross of Christ. Hell awaits the enemies of the cross of Christ and those who follow them.
He gives descriptions of the enemies of the cross of Christ. First of all, their God is their belly or fleshly appetite. They live to satisfy the flesh. And secondly, whereas Paul said in Galatians 6:14, “But God forbid that I should glory except in the cross of our Lord Jesus Christ…,” these enemies’ glory is in their shame, their licentious lifestyle. And third, their attention is given to earthly things such as houses, lands, money, fame, entertainment and sports events rather than heavenly things.
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