The Apostle Paul repeated keys truths as he traveled about. One such disheartening truth, which needed reiterated, is this one:
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. (Phil 3:18,19)
Just like then, many today live as enemies of the cross of Christ, yet identify themselves with Christianity! Their life is an insulting contradiction and smear to the holy image of Christianity. True Christians are living holy (Rom. 6:22). They are following Jesus (Jn. 10:27). He is their glory (Phil. 3:3). They are doing God’s will (Lk. 8:21).
On the other hand, those living as enemies of the cross of Christ have their own appetites (or “stomach”) as their god and rather than glory in the Lord Jesus, they glory in their shame! Their destiny is destruction (meaning the lake of fire). [It is clear that certain sinful behavior identifies one as a child of the devil, 1 John 3:10.] Furthermore, their minds are on earthly things. That last point is very significant. Their minds are on earthly things like money, sports, video games, entertainment, etc. They aren’t meditating in the Scriptures and seeking God. Note what Paul wrote about the minds of the Christian and non-Christian:
Those who live according to the sinful nature have their minds set on what that nature desires; but those who live in accordance with the Spirit have their minds set on what the Spirit desires. The mind of sinful man is death, but the mind controlled by the Spirit is life and peace (Rom 8:5,6).
That is a key passage! Our thought life is vital and will always affect our behavior and goals. That is why people who lust over pornography often get involved with physical adultery and sexual crimes. The enemies of the cross have their minds on earthly things and it is apparent also in their words—they glory in their shame! It’s one thing when a rank pagan, who openly disbelieves in the existence of God, would do those things, but when a professing Christian does the same, it is much worse. That’s the problem here and what Paul wanted the Philippians (who always obeyed, Phil 2:12) to know that danger and remain true. Many who profess to have salvation and eternal life are living as enemies of the cross of Christ.
