An Enemy of the Cross of Christ

An Enemy of the Cross of Christ

Paul often said, and here he says it with tears, that many walked as enemies of the cross of Christ. We see that this matter weighed heavily on his heart.

Even in these days we are in great need of the exhortation not to walk as enemies of the cross of Christ. When we think of the church, we realize that God has done great things; but it is certain that the glory would be far greater if everyone had willingly and without delay taken up their cross and walked in Jesus’ steps. Slow progress and a lack of spirit and life in the lives of many suggest that they are enemies of the cross of Christ.

What does it mean to be an enemy of the cross of Christ? It means that one draws back from the sufferings that follow taking up one’s cross daily. One is an enemy of the cross of Christ if one does not want to partake of the sufferings that are part of taking up one’s cross. Many people want to share in the glory of Christ, but almost no one wants to suffer with Him. They want the glory without the sufferings, but only those who suffer with Him share in the promise of being glorified together with Him. Drawing back from the sufferings is exactly the same as forgoing all of the glory. Taking this into account, we fully realize why Paul so often mentions this matter of being an enemy. Paul himself was an example of the opposite: of loving the cross of Christ. He even boasted of the cross of Christ, for he says that by it “the world is crucified to me, and I to the world.” Gal. 6:14.

Desiring earthly things is being an enemy of the cross of Christ. It is impossible admire something great in the world and simultaneously love the cross, because the cross pus an end to desiring something in this world. The fact that many people are not free from the world after having sat under the preaching for many years tells us plainly that they have been enemies of the cross of Christ. If they could only love the cross with all their heart they would soon be set free from the world, and they would make quick progress; but the end of those who are enemies of the cross of Christ is destruction. Phil. 3:19.

Let us therefore love the cross and not draw back from the sufferings that accompany them. We know that if we suffer with Christ, we will also be glorified together; if we endure, we will reign with Him!