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“For many walk, of whom I have told you often…that they are the enemies of the cross of Christ” (Philippians 3:18).
“And I, brethren, if I yet preach circumcision, why do I yet suffer reproach? Then is the offence of the cross ceased” (Galatians 5:11).
What does it mean to be an “enemy of the cross of Christ?” What does it mean in the Bible when it speaks of the “offence of the cross?” To be an enemy of the cross of Christ does not always mean that the person is an enemy of Christ. There are many people who are happy to know the Lord Jesus as Savior, to know that their sins are all forgiven, and that they are on their way to heaven. To be an enemy of the cross of Christ means that people do not like the reproach and suffering that are part of following a rejected Christ.
The Apostle Paul found this out when he would not bring the practices of the Jewish religion into Christianity. If he had been willing to do this, he would not have suffered as much. But God was finished with all those things—beautiful buildings, instrumental music in worship, special choirs for singing, a ritual form of service, a priesthood that came between God and the people, etc. But many Christians have brought those things back into Christianity and have brought Christianity down to the level of a worldly religion.
If we really want to follow Christ, we must recognize that He has been rejected. He died a criminal’s death on a cross, and many do not want to be connected with that. The offence of the cross is what happens when we stand apart from this world, and are willing to bear reproach for our Lord Jesus.
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