Word@Work Phil38 - Philippians 3:18-19
Published: Mon, 11/16/09
Word@Work from BeaconLight
DANGEROUSLY LOW HORIZON
Phil. 3:18-19 For, as I have often told you before and now say again even with tears, many live as enemies of the cross of Christ. Their destiny is destruction, their god is their stomach, and their glory is in their shame. Their mind is on earthly things. (NIV)
It would be nice to think that everybody is a friend of God, but alas that is not true. Whatever people say, everybody is either living as a friend or an enemy of the cross of Christ. There is no middle ground. Clearly it deeply concerned the apostle, as he had passionately warned the church about the dangers of drifting from the cross as the only valid spiritual anchor point. Today, despite a plethora of spiritual ideas circulating the globe, the cross of Christ is still the only access point to sharing eternity with God.
Jesus died on the cross to pay for our sins, to redeem (buy back) those who have been taken hostage by Satan so that we may receive God's righteousness. Yet millions refuse to accept that the cross was necessary for them personally; and their lives show it. They are either proudly self-reliant or miserable victims of life; they cannot accept God's free gift and insist on making their own way (see Jer 2:13). And some of them go to church too! But they do not really trust Jesus because they substitute their own appetites as gods to be satisfied. There is no good spiritual future for such people, only destruction: and no joy-filled lifestyle, only shame.
Their essential problem is that they have rejected Calvary as the solution to a sinful world, and have lowered their horizon to the ground at their feet. Their mind is full of feeble worldly fixes to classic spiritual problems. They may be characterised by high energy projects, high grumbling inertia or hopeless apathy. No wonder Paul was in tears over them. Many are seduced into dutifully caring for family or making money, but without ever wondering if their lives honour the Jesus who died for them. So, in a busy world with many pressures, we must remember that righteousness that does not come through Christ's cross is eternally useless. We who claim to know Jesus, must have a heavenly horizon and navigate there through the cross of Christ (see www.crosscheck.org.uk to know more). Those who love Jesus because of the cross will stand out from the crowd, and some will be persecuted; but that is infinitely better than to be an enemy of the cross of Christ.
Prayer: Dear Lord. You know the many pressures which I face, and how easily I think of worldly solutions instead of seeking Your grace. Help me to find cleansing through Your blood shed on the cross, and to move from my earth-bound mindset - so that I will not be a disappointment to You. Although others may scorn the cross, help me to grow in my love for my crucified and risen Saviour to whom I am accountable. In Jesus' Name. Amen.
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It would be nice to think that everybody is a friend of God, but alas that is not true. Whatever people say, everybody is either living as a friend or an enemy of the cross of Christ. There is no middle ground. Clearly it deeply concerned the apostle, as he had passionately warned the church about the dangers of drifting from the cross as the only valid spiritual anchor point. Today, despite a plethora of spiritual ideas circulating the globe, the cross of Christ is still the only access point to sharing eternity with God.
Jesus died on the cross to pay for our sins, to redeem (buy back) those who have been taken hostage by Satan so that we may receive God's righteousness. Yet millions refuse to accept that the cross was necessary for them personally; and their lives show it. They are either proudly self-reliant or miserable victims of life; they cannot accept God's free gift and insist on making their own way (see Jer 2:13). And some of them go to church too! But they do not really trust Jesus because they substitute their own appetites as gods to be satisfied. There is no good spiritual future for such people, only destruction: and no joy-filled lifestyle, only shame.
Their essential problem is that they have rejected Calvary as the solution to a sinful world, and have lowered their horizon to the ground at their feet. Their mind is full of feeble worldly fixes to classic spiritual problems. They may be characterised by high energy projects, high grumbling inertia or hopeless apathy. No wonder Paul was in tears over them. Many are seduced into dutifully caring for family or making money, but without ever wondering if their lives honour the Jesus who died for them. So, in a busy world with many pressures, we must remember that righteousness that does not come through Christ's cross is eternally useless. We who claim to know Jesus, must have a heavenly horizon and navigate there through the cross of Christ (see www.crosscheck.org.uk to know more). Those who love Jesus because of the cross will stand out from the crowd, and some will be persecuted; but that is infinitely better than to be an enemy of the cross of Christ.
Prayer: Dear Lord. You know the many pressures which I face, and how easily I think of worldly solutions instead of seeking Your grace. Help me to find cleansing through Your blood shed on the cross, and to move from my earth-bound mindset - so that I will not be a disappointment to You. Although others may scorn the cross, help me to grow in my love for my crucified and risen Saviour to whom I am accountable. In Jesus' Name. Amen.
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