June 29
“Brethren, join in following my example, and note those who so walk, as you have us for a pattern. 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: whose end is destruction, whose god is their belly, and whose glory is in their shame – who set their mind on earthly things. For our citizenship is in heaven, from which we also eagerly wait for the Savior, the Lord Jesus Christ, who will transform our lowly body that it may be conformed to His glorious body, according to the working by which He is able even to subdue all things to Himself,” Philippians 3:17-21.
There are two groups of people in the world. There are those who walk through life with faith in our Lord and Savior Jesus. They give us an example to follow – walk in faith and live the Christian life.
In sharp contrast, there are those who walk as enemies of the cross of Christ. Don’t follow them! The apostle Paul has spoken and written frequently about the enemies of the cross of Christ. They deny the one true God. They deny Jesus Christ as the Son of God and the only Savior for sinners. They lead their willing followers down a dead-end street, and at the end there is destruction.
With tears in his eyes, the apostle feels that he must warn his true followers lest they also be misled by the enemies of the cross of Christ. He further describes those being misled with the words, “Whose god is their belly, and whose glory is in their shame – who set their mind on earthly things.” Their god is their belly; they live primarily to eat and drink. Their glory is in their shame; sexual activity outside the married state and sexual perversion are the things about which they brag and boast! They concentrate in word and deed on walking the way of their sinful flesh and the sinful world.
For Christians, the walk along the way of life is totally different. Our citizenship is in heaven. We are strangers here on earth. Our eyes are raised and focused on the glories of heaven, which God in His grace and mercy has provided for us through Jesus Christ our Lord. The Lord Jesus lived the perfect life, and He has given us a pattern to follow. He invites and calls us, “Come to Me, all you who labor and are heavy laden, and I will give you rest. Take My yoke upon you and learn from Me, for I am gentle and lowly in heart, and you will find rest for your souls. For My yoke is easy and My burden is light,” Matthew 11:28-30. As our perfect Savior, He suffered and died to redeem us from sin, death, and hell. We put our complete faith and trust in Him for eternal life.
With faith in Jesus as our Lord and Savior, we eagerly await His glorious return to take us to our heavenly home. We await the return of our resurrected Lord who will raise us from our graves and give us a glorified body. We will be taken to heaven where, “God will wipe away every tear from (our) eyes; there shall be no more death, nor sorrow, nor crying. There shall be no more pain, for the former things have passed away,” Revelation 21:4.
“I’m but a stranger here,
Heav’n is my home;
Earth is a desert drear,
Heav’n is my home.
Danger and sorrow stand
Round me on ev’ry hand;
Heav’n is my fatherland,
Heav’n is my home.
There at my Savior’s side,
Heav’n is my home;
I shall be glorified,
Heav’n is my home.
There are the good and blest,
Those I love most and best;
And there I, too, shall rest,
Heav’n is my home.” Amen.