James Thomson, in The Great Argument, wrote: “Christianity without a cross is nothing. The cross was the fitting close of a life of rejection, scorn, and defeat. But in no true sense have these things ceased or changed. Jesus is still He whom man despises, and the rejected of men.”
It was prophesied that the Messiah would be a stumbling block (Isa. 8:14). Jesus is the great dividing line between heaven and hell. What do you do about the man on the cross? For those who follow, for the men and women who are exposed to the elements, protected by a thin linen sheet (cf. Mark 14:50-52), persecution happens.
Jesus was persecuted by the Jews (John 5:16). Jesus was persecuted by His own apostle, Peter (Matt. 16:23). Jesus warned that persecution would be in His disciples’ future (John 15:20).
THERE ARE ENEMIES OF THE CROSS OF CHRIST (Gal. 6:12):
Paul is an example of a (former) enemy of the cross of Christ. Paul once persecuted the church of God beyond measure and tried to destroy it (Gal. 1:13; Acts 8:1-3; 26:11; 1 Cor. 15:9).
But he was then persecuted himself for preaching the gospel of Christ (Gal. 5:11). Notice from Galatians the impact persecution has on followers of Christ… They were deserting Jesus quickly (1:6). They were “bewitched” (3:1). They were turning back to the weak and worthless elemental things (4:9). They were being hindered from obeying the truth (5:7). It might be perceived that Paul was their enemy by telling them the truth (4:16).
CHARACTERISTICS OF “ENEMIES” OF THE CROSS OF CHRIST:
We’re reading Philippians 3:18-21 here. Notice: their “end” is destruction; their “god” is their appetite; their “glory” is in their shame; their “minds” are on earthly things.
So there are modern enemies of the cross of Christ which confront us in the 21st century. What are some modern “enemies” of the cross of Christ?
1. Apathy – Among Christians, this is a persistent enemy of the cross of Christ.
2. Atheism – This is the perennial enemy of the cross of Christ.
3. Islam – This is a provocative enemy of the cross of Christ.
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4. Religious division – Is a perversion of the cross of Christ.
5. Materialism – This is a pervasive attitude that hinders the cross of Christ from advancing in our community and around the world.
6. Immorality – Homosexuality, abortion, sensuality, a sex-saturated society.
We need to have the determination that Stephen had to stand up to and endure persecution (cf. 1 Cor. 4:12).
We need to maintain our faith. We cannot fall away because of persecution (Matt. 13:21; 2 Thess. 1:4).
We need to remember that nothing, not even persecution, can separate us from the love of God in Christ (Rom. 8:35).
We need to try to convert our persecutors! The church in and around Jerusalem, in Judea, and surrounding areas had peace once Saul of Tarsus was converted to Christianity (Acts 9:31).
We ought to bless those who persecute us (Romans 12:14).
We must realize we have been crucified to the world and its desires. That happened when we were baptized into Christ (Rom. 6:6; Gal. 2:20).
Let us have the determination to stay faithful to Christ, because nothing can separate us from the love of Christ. Let us try to bless our persecutors and convert them. Our home is in heaven so that we can live our lives crucified to the world.
Paul Holland
