Enemies and Friends of the Cross
“For, as I have 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 in their shame. Their mind is set on earthly things." (Philippians 3:18-19)
Today the “enemies of the cross” are those who insist salvation is limited to a few who wisely accept God’s offer to save. That it takes the cross PLUS something else, whatever their particular denomination adds. This doctrine of limited salvation is destined to be destroyed when the cross is shown to have accomplished the “finished” work of salvation for ALL.
"Jesus said, it is finished. With that He bowed His head and gave up His spirit...our citizenship is in heaven. And we eagerly await the Savior from there, the Lord Jesus Christ, who, by the power that enables Him to bring EVERYTHING under His control, will transform our lowly bodies so that they will be like His glorious body.” (John 19:30; Philippians 3:20-21)
"Enemies of the cross" has nothing to do with condemnation, but refers to those who oppose the truth. The truth is that Christ Jesus is the Savior of the world, and that this salvation is by the grace of God, not by the works of the law. All who believe this are friends of the cross.
“For the grace of God has appeared, bringing salvation to ALL humans, instructing us to deny ungodliness and worldly desires and to live sensibly, righteously and godly in the present age, looking for the blessed hope and the appearing of the glory of our great God and SAVIOR, Christ Jesus, who gave Himself for us to redeem us from every lawless deed, and to purify for Himself a people for His own possession, zealous for good deeds. These things speak and exhort and reprove with all authority." (Titus 2:11-15)
So who are these “enemies of the cross” Paul was referring to?
Paul was talking to the Jewish leaders who did not believe that their Messiah would or could die on a cross. The “enemies of the cross” among the Jews are those who refuse to believe that the sacrifice of Jesus on the cross, and not obedience to the law of Moses, would save them from their sins.
Today the “enemies of the cross” are those who insist salvation is limited to a few who wisely accept God’s offer to save. That it takes the cross PLUS something else, whatever their particular denomination adds. This doctrine of limited salvation is destined to be destroyed when the cross is shown to have accomplished the “finished” work of salvation for ALL.
"Jesus said, it is finished. With that He bowed His head and gave up His spirit...our citizenship is in heaven. And we eagerly await the Savior from there, the Lord Jesus Christ, who, by the power that enables Him to bring EVERYTHING under His control, will transform our lowly bodies so that they will be like His glorious body.” (John 19:30; Philippians 3:20-21)
"Enemies of the cross" has nothing to do with condemnation, but refers to those who oppose the truth. The truth is that Christ Jesus is the Savior of the world, and that this salvation is by the grace of God, not by the works of the law. All who believe this are friends of the cross.
“For the grace of God has appeared, bringing salvation to ALL humans, instructing us to deny ungodliness and worldly desires and to live sensibly, righteously and godly in the present age, looking for the blessed hope and the appearing of the glory of our great God and SAVIOR, Christ Jesus, who gave Himself for us to redeem us from every lawless deed, and to purify for Himself a people for His own possession, zealous for good deeds. These things speak and exhort and reprove with all authority." (Titus 2:11-15)