Enemies of the cross

“Their destiny is destruction, their god is their stomach, and their glory is in their shame. Their mind is on earthly things.” Philippians 3:19
This is a very apt description of worldly people, even today – those who “live as enemies of the cross of Christ” (Phil. 3:18) – those who don’t give Christianity a second thought.
‘Their destiny is destruction’ – because, like it or not, there is only one way to salvation: through Jesus Christ (John 14:6). But even in this life, those who live from party to party, will eventually end up in a downward spiral of always wanting more thrills, and always wanting more stuff. It’s impossible to be truly satisfied from material things.
‘Their god is their stomach’ – I can testify to this. Many a conversation over morning tea at work has tended towards different kinds of wine or different kinds of food: restaurant meals people enjoyed, or flavours of cheese, etc. These conversations really test my patience sometimes!
‘Their glory is in their shame.’ How true this is; we all know people who are proud of their drunken antics or how they lost their virginity. The things they should be ashamed of, are the things they boast about. Say no more.
‘Their mind is on earthly things.’ All that this world can offer a person, is ultimately temporal and passing away. Money can be stolen, possessions can become outdated, beauty fades like a flower, fame is but for a moment. Family can go off the rails, friends move on. In this life there is only one thing that is constant – God, because He is eternal.