“Enemies of the Cross”

Saturday, September 14, 2019

by Dr. Paul Chappell

“Brethren, be followers together of me, and mark them which walk so as ye have us for an ensample. (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 mind earthly things.) For our conversation is in heaven; from whence also we look for the Saviour, the Lord Jesus Christ:”

Philippians 3:17–20

Though we remember him best as a gifted hymn writer, Isaac Watts pastored a church in London for a number of years. Watts learned early on the cost of faithfulness to Jesus Christ. His father, also a pastor, was twice imprisoned for refusing to be part of the official Church of England because of ways that church operated which were contrary to the New Testament pattern. When Isaac was a baby, his mother carried him to the prison to visit his father. Yet even seeing that hardship and suffering did not deter the younger Watts from following Christ himself.

Isaac Watts recognized that there are difficulties in the Christian life and those who would deter us from following Christ. Rather than just giving up, we must choose to be good soldiers for Christ in this spiritual battle.

Am I a soldier of the cross,
  A follower of the Lamb?
And shall I fear to own His cause
  Or blush to speak His name?
Are there no foes for me to face?
  Must I not stem the flood?
Is this vile world a friend to grace,
  To help me on to God?
Sure I must fight, if I would reign
  Increase my courage, Lord!
I’ll bear the toil, endure the pain,
  Supported by Thy word.

It would be nice if doing right and standing for the truth were popular, but that is not the way life is in our fallen world. We have a real spiritual adversary in Satan who must be fought on a consistent and ongoing basis. “Whom resist stedfast in the faith, knowing that the same afflictions are accomplished in your brethren that are in the world” (1 Peter 5:9)

Today's Growth Principle: 

A Christian who is not playing some role in the battle against Satan is a Christian who is not experiencing spiritual victory.