Where is your Leader Leading You?

“…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.

Enemies of the Cross

“For many walk, of whom I have told you often, and now tell you even weeping, that they are the enemies of the cross of Christ.” (Philippians 3:18)

The most horrendous execution by which any thief or murderer would ever be put to death was that of crucifixion on a Roman Cross. It was the choice of the enemies of the Son of God to rid themselves of Him once and for all. It was the means which God chose to let the world know how much He was willing to give to save sinners from hell.

That someone would be the enemy of the love shown at the cross and the price God was willing to pay for man’s salvation and redemption is beyond all comprehension and understanding. Paul said that telling his readers about those enemies of the cross brought weeping. He said there were “many” who were enemies of the cross. The descendants of those first century enemies of the cross abound today.

Leaders and Followers

“Brethren, be followers together of me, and mark them which walk so as ye have us for an example.” (Philippians 3:17)

In another place the great apostle told his readers, “Be ye followers of me, even as I also am of Christ.” ( I Corinthians 11:1)  Whether or not we realize it, there are people observing us and following our example.

A “shade tree mechanic” friend of mine was working on his car in his front yard. Every time he went under his car his four year old son did the same. When he went to his tool box to look for a tool the son went also. An old Christian man was observing this from across the street. The old man went over and greeted his neighbor and said, “Your little boy wants to be just like you and is taking every step you make. You have a responsibility to be saved and live for Christ in front of the little fellow.”  That was more than forty years ago.  Today the dad and his son are actively involved in the church.  The old neighbor is now with Jesus.

Paul says, “As long as I am following Christ, follow me.”  Where is your example taking others who follow you?

Oak Trees and Squash

“Let us therefore as many as are perfect, have this attitude; and if in anything you have a different attitude, God will reveal that also to you; however, let us keep living by that same standard to which we have attained.” (Philippians 3:15-16, NASB)

As has been said before, some Christians are farther along the path to Spiritual maturity than are others. Looking up the path to those who are ahead of us, we may think of them as “having arrived.” Our Scripture text admonishes the believers that, wherever our path to Spiritual maturity may have advanced us, we must “keep on keeping on.” We are further admonished to continue to abide by the same standard that brought us this far, staying faithful to the Lord in our walk with Him.

A businessman had successfully grown his business using tried and true methods and principles of operation. Someone suggested that he should change his methods for newer techniques and cut some corners. His response was, “I am sticking with what brought me here.”

If you are a growing, maturing Christian, stay with what brought you to where you are. And if God wants you to change He will reveal it to you. There are no “short cuts” or “quick fixes” to spiritual maturity. Christian maturity takes place more often in a “slow cooker,” rather than in a “microwave.” You can grow a squash in six weeks. Growing an oak tree will take a lifetime.

A Good Testimony

“Brethren, I count not myself to have apprehended: but this one thing I do, forgetting those things which are behind, and reaching forth unto those things which are before, I press toward the mark for the prize of the high calling of God in Christ Jesus.” (Philippians 3:13-14)

The assessment of many scholars and commentators is that Paul the apostle was the greatest Christian that ever walked the earth. But his assessment of himself was that he had not yet arrived. He stayed focused on “one thing” which would be good for us to do. He was like a runner in a race, nearing the finish line, straining forward with every ounce of energy and determination. If I could write his testimony it would be the following:

     I’m not what I ought to be, and
     I’m not what I want to be, and
     I’m not what I’m going to be, but praise God,
     I’m not what I used to be.

Is that your testimony?

A Fugitive Apprehended

“…but I follow after, if that I may apprehend that for which I am also apprehended of Christ Jesus.” (Philippians3:12)

The picture before us is that of a fugitive running from his pursuers and finally being apprehended or caught.

Paul was the “fugitive” running from the Lord. The Holy Spirit “pricked” him many times with conviction (Acts 9:5). He is now caught or apprehended on the Road to Damascus.  

So, now the former fugitive has a desire to, “apprehend,” or catch that which caught him. He has been saved, born again and indwelt by the Holy Spirit. No longer a fugitive running away from God, now he is running toward God. He wants to grow. He is like a tree that my son planted in my front yard twenty-five years ago. It was a tree then, but not mature. It is still much smaller than the more mature trees in the yard, but it is a tree, much larger than it was when it was planted, and is growing and maturing.

If you have genuinely repented and turned to Christ in faith and are saved, you surely want to grow toward maturity, not becoming more saved, which is an impossibility, but knowing more about the God who saved you.  

Not Yet Mature

“Not as though I had already attained, either were already perfect…” (Philippians 3:12)

I once heard evangelist, Billy Graham say that he did not know any mature Christians, and he included himself. I agree with that statement and add myself in the, “not yet mature” group. Billy Graham also added, “There are some Christians who are more nearly mature than others.”

If we have reached spiritual maturity there is no more room for growth.  The Bible clearly commands that we are to “grow in grace and in the knowledge of our Lord and Savior Jesus Christ.” (II Peter 3:18)  Paul saw himself as not yet mature but continued to work on becoming mature.