Philippians 3:18-19; Enemies – 2.18.2015

“For, as I often told you before and now tell you 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 their shame.  Their mind is set on earthly things.”

One of my favorite things about the Bible is that it includes the good and the bad.  The Bible teaches us about God’s amazing grace, but it also teaches about the wrath of God.  The Bible says that God has won the battle, but in this world, we will still have trouble.  The Bible is not just rainbows and butterflies – it is the truth, the whole truth, and nothing but the truth.

So it is not surprising that Paul tells the church at Philippi, “Many live as enemies of the cross of Christ.”  We know this to be true don’t we?  We see it in the news: ISIS beheads 21 Coptic Christians, a church in Africa is firebombed, and we hear about companies being sued for refusing to run their business contrary to the Word of God.  Christ has many enemies and they are increasing.

I want to mention two things about this.  One, God knows what is going on, He is in control, and He will take care of it in His perfect time.  Ultimately, their plots will fail and they will be held accountable for their actions.  Or as Paul says, “Their destiny is destruction…” The enemies of Christ will ultimate lose.

Secondly, Jesus taught that we are to love our enemies and pray for those who persecute us (Matt. 5:44).  He does not say, hate those who hate you.  Attack those who attack you.  Ridicule those who ridicule you.  Our job is to love and bless and pray for the enemies of Christ.  We should expect enemies of Christ to persecute us – followers of Christ should never persecute others. 

As you read about the horrific things that happen in the world; pray for the victims, work for justice, and stand for Christ.  But also pray for the perpetrators because they have been deceived, blinded, and captured by the enemy – just as we once were.  They need Jesus and if we are not the hands and feet of Christ, then who will be?

I am not saying that it is easy, but I am saying it is a command of Christ that needs to be obeyed.

“Returning hate for hate multiplies hate, adding deeper darkness to a night already devoid of stars.  Darkness cannot drive out darkness; only light can do that.  Hate cannot drive out hate; only love can do that.” – Martin Luther King, Jr.