I have just had the huge joy of spending the weekend at the pretreat for my Come before Winter trip to Canada in March. We spent time in worship, prayer and study. As we read Phillippians over and over again, I feel like the phrase "enemy of the cross" just kept resonating with me.
I think it is too easy for us to think of those who do not follow Christ as "enemies of the cross" but I don't think that is what Paul is getting at here. Read the letter again and ask questions of the text.
Is it perhaps a little more like this....
when we don't submit ourselves to the way of the cross;
when we don't get along;
when we are not prepared to empty ourselves of our rights for the sake of others;
when we are so wrapped up in the stuff of image, possessions or status...
then we are the enemy of the cross.
It has me thinking about living in such a way that my life is a witness to the cross not an enemy of it.
4 comments:
I think you're right. Insiders have the capacity to be the worst enemies. The Lord never told non-Christians to maintain the unity of the Spirit.
Amen!
You are so right.
We must strive to love above all things so that the world may see Christ in us. I believe it love in us that is going to turn the world upside down for Jesus Christ. When you then of the Cross it is nothing but total love and self-sacrifice. Excellent post! I hope you have a blessed week and thank you for the wonderful reminder.
Hi Arlene,
My mom said she saw you at church! Thank you so so much for offering to bring us a meal, that is so thoughtful and sweet. However we are a gluten free family (not eating gluten helps relieve some of my RA). I sincerely appreciate the offer and I am very grateful, but I don't want you to have to go to the trouble of making something gluten free.
Thank you!
Terrific stuff.
Geesh, I was an enemy of the cross last night during an Evangelism meeting at the church.
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