Bible Verse of the Day Friday February 17th, 2023

Philippians 3:18 For, as I have often told you before and now tell you again even with tears, many live as enemies of the cross of Christ.

As followers and believers in Christ Jesus, He calls us to a spiritual walk and holy vigilance and alertness that will, in turn, bring honor and glory to our Lord and Savior, Christ Jesus. The lost of this world that chooses to turn their backs on the offer of Christ Jesus for salvation and eternal life, or the backslidden Christians that choose a carnal lifestyle, living as enemies of the Cross of Christ. These are denying the saving power of the Cross of Calvary and selflessly disregarding the sacrifice Jesus made on our behalf. Paul understood there were workers of Satan who had crept into the Body of Christ and preached confidence in the flesh over faith in God. Because Paul's life as Saul led in total opposition to the gospel of Christ Jesus, he had no problem recognizing the fanaticism and zeal of these legalistic Judaizers. Paul had turned his back on the Pharisees and other Jewish leaders to pursue a life dedicated to spreading the Gospel of Christ Jesus to all the Earth (Acts 1:8).

While Jesus was on the earth as God in the flesh, He reminded all that chose to follow and believe in Him that people were either for Him or against Him. These are the only two options; there are no alternate ways to salvation and eternal life. Many in Paul's day were against Christ Jesus, as there is still today. Just as the detractors of Jesus in Paul's Day were "enemies of the cross of Christ," the ones today that choose to live for themselves are "enemies of the cross of Christ" as well.

Even the Apostle Peter found himself in the enemy's camp once when he attempted to keep Jesus from fulfilling the will of the Father at Cavalry. Jesus did not hesitate to rebuke Peter even with His great love for him (Matthew 16:23). Paul set aside all worldly pursuits and aspirations. He was wholly prepared to suffer any tribulations that came his way to follow God's will for his life. Even though Paul experienced the loss of every worldly pursuit he had ever aspired to, he considered them as garbage to know Christ Jesus as his Lord and Savior (Philippians 3:8)

It is not difficult for Satan to draw us into his lies and scams to desire the old life and turn our backs on the new life through Christ Jesus. However, surrendering our all, body, mind, soul, and spirit to Christ Jesus and following the guidance and direction of The Holy Spirit will always illuminate the pathway we should be on.