The Enemies of the Cross of Christ

Philippians 3:18 'For many walk, of whom I have told you often, and now tell you even weeping, that they are the enemies of the cross of Christ'[/b][b]

When referring to the enemies of the cross of Christ in this passage, the apostle Paul was not making reference to Satan, or principalities, powers and territorial spirits or demons. Neither was he referring to the brutish and wicked Roman government that maimed and massacred thousands of the first century believers. He was not talking about the Jewish authorities that greatly persecuted the church and killed many of the believers like Stephen (Acts 7:54 – 60). Paul was regrettably talking about professed believers in the church. These people were not ordinary members, but leaders, that include teachers, pastors, evangelists, prophets and apostles. These ministers were corrupting the gospel with their ungodly lives and false teachings.

The bible in many places made reference to such ministers and warns believers against dealing with them (Romans 16:17; 2 John 10-11). Let us read some of them:
Romans 16:17-18 'Now I beseech you, brethren, mark them which cause divisions and offences contrary to the doctrine which ye have learned; and avoid them. For they that are such serve not our Lord Jesus Christ, but their own belly; and by good words and fair speeches deceive the hearts of the simple.'

2 Timothy 3:8 (NIV) 'Just as Jannes and Jambres opposed Moses, so also these teachers oppose the truth. They are men of depraved minds, who, as far as the faith is concerned, are rejected.

2 Peter 2:1-3 (NIV) 'But there were also false prophets among the people, just as there will be false teachers among you. They will secretly introduce destructive heresies, even denying the sovereign Lord who bought them—bringing swift destruction on themselves. Many will follow their depraved conduct and will bring the way of truth into disrepute. In their greed these teachers will exploit you with fabricated stories. Their condemnation has long been hanging over them, and their destruction has not been sleeping.

John the beloved wrote this in 1 John 4:1 'Beloved, believe not every spirit, but try the spirits whether they are of God: because many false prophets are gone out into the world.’
Jude 17-19 'But you, beloved, remember the words which were spoken before by the apostles of our Lord Jesus Christ: how they told you that there would be mockers in the last time who would walk according to their own ungodly lusts. These are sensual persons, who cause divisions, not having the Spirit.'

Our Lord Jesus Christ says in Matthew 7:15 'Beware of false prophets, who come to you in sheep’s clothing, but inwardly they are ravenous wolves. You will know them by their fruits.'

The fact that our Lord Jesus and four of the five writers of the epistles in the bible warned against false ministers underscores the grievousness and the dangers they pose to the church. Christ in Matthew 24:24 says that these false ministers cannot be easily unmasked, because they will perform great signs and wonders; parade and masquerade themselves as angels of light (2 Corinthians 11:13-15).

We have in our generation loads of ministers who are enemies of the cross of Christ. Many are general overseers of mega churches and denominations. They lead hundreds of thousands, if not millions of people. How do you know, you may ask? The Lord Jesus says in Matthew 7:16a 'You will know them by their fruits.'
Our fruit is our character. It is the reflection of the state of our hearts. What we say or do bring to the fore the way we are inside. Christ in Matthew 15:18 says that what goes into a man does not defile him but what comes out of him. Verse 19 of that chapter of Matthew says ‘For out of the heart proceed evil thoughts, murders, adulteries, fornications, thefts, false witness, blasphemies:’

The statements and actions of a minister will prove whether he or she is an enemy of the cross of Christ or not. Let us look at some of the fruits they bear.
i. They serve not The Lord Jesus but their own belly. They are after earthly gains and have become slaves to their own appetites and desires (Romans 16:18; Philippians 3:19; 1 Timothy 6:5).
ii. They preach the philosophies of men and not sound doctrine. Their messages are full of lies: lacking substance. It's all about tickling the fancies of their listeners and not about leading them into God's kingdom. They are the 'make you feel good' pastors. We also have those who though preach holiness but will infuse falsehood into them. What they preach is at variance with their lifestyles. They have a form of godliness but deny the powers thereof (Romans 16:18; 2 Timothy 2:4; 2 Peter 2:1-3).
iii. They oppose the truth. You know the enemies of the cross of Christ through their opposition or indifference to the essential truths of the gospel. Such ministers will for example oppose teachings or sermons that are against the practise of sin by believers and those that uphold God's righteous standards. At best they will preach truth laced with falsehood and vice versa (2 Timothy 3:8; 1Timothy 4:1).
iv. They are men of depraved mind, sensual and cause division in the body of Christ (2 Timothy 3:8; 2 Peter 2:2; Jude 19). They are counterfeits as far as the faith is concerned. Their concept of faith is different from biblical teachings that upholds faith evidenced through righteous works (Hebrews 11; James 2:26).
v. They do not have the Spirit of Christ (Romans 8:9; 1 John 4:1). No minister with the Spirit of Christ will teach or preach falsehood. Failure to hold on to the practise and teaching of biblical doctrine by any minister is an indication that such a minister does not belong to Christ. He or she is an enemy of the cross of Christ.
vi. They are usually smooth talkers who true their fair and flattering words deceive the hearts of the simple (Romans 16:18; 2 Peter 2:3; Titus 1:11). Many of such adorn our pulpits today: men and women whose words and speeches are smoother than butter (Psalm 55:21).
vii. The enemies of the cross of Christ are overly ambitious people. Like goats they love the mountain tops. They will not listen to or hear the voice of the Shepherd neither will they abide in the Vine (John 17:27; John 15:6). They like to be seen and heard. They want to domineer and control, while expanding their empires (be very wary of church leaders who want to open their churches on every street. These usually do not seek God’s glory but their own glory – John 5:44). They are arrogant, boastful and have the attitude of their father the devil (Isaiah 14:13-14). It's always about their churches and not about Christ. They focus the minds of their members not on Christ but on their churches or denominations or themselves. They have become more popular in their churches than The Lord Jesus Christ.

Conclusion
Brethren we are living in very dangerous times. The bible describes it as perilous times (2 Timothy 3:1). It is going to be very difficult as the days go by and as the Day of The Lord draws near to be a true child of God (Matthew 24:12). True love will be in very short supply. Men will utterly be self-centred, lovers of money, proud and contemptuous. The church will decreasingly cease to be a place of refuge because most pulpits shall be filled with the enemies of the cross of Christ.

The onslaught by the enemies of the cross of Christ will increase because 'hell hath enlarged herself, and opened her mouth without measure: and their glory, and their multitude, and their pomp, and he that rejoiceth, shall descend into it.' Isaiah 5:14. Satan has stationed his agents strategically as bishops, overseers, and superintendents etc in most of today’s churches including most mega churches. Watch out for some of these signs wherever you find yourself and ask God for the gift to discern spirits (1 Corinthians 12:10; 1 John 4:1). Leave as soon as you discover that your pastor is one of them. Otherwise you will eternally regret your remaining behind. The enemies of the cross of Christ will always abound because Scripture must be fulfilled (Matthew 7:15; Matthew 24:11, 24; Acts 20:29).

As believers, let us draw nigh to God through prayers and thorough study of the Word of God - The Bible. We have to seek God while He may be found. Call upon Him while He is near. ‘Let the wicked forsake his way, and the unrighteous man his thoughts: and let him return unto the Lord, and He will have mercy upon Him; and to our God, for He will abundantly pardon’ (Isaiah 55:6-7).

We have by the grace of God, proclaimed to you the Word of Truth. This truth endures forever and is same from generation to generation (Psalm 117:2; Psalm 100:5). He that hath an ear, let him hear what the Spirit saith unto the churches (Revelation 2:29).

God bless you in Jesus’ name, Amen.

You got a good message for us but enemies of THE CROSS OF CHRIST are those who teach contrary TO WHAT CHRIST ACCOMPLISHED THROUGH THE CROSS. Those who dilute law (works, self efforts) with the grace of God. Those who frustrate the finished works of Christ on the cross and don't acknowledge it.