2000-03-14 - The Saddest Verse in the Bible
Philippians 3:18 For many walk, of whom I often told you,
and now tell you even weeping, that they are enemies of the cross of
Christ.
I say this is the saddest verse because this verse speaks of those who once
followed the path of faith and after following for a time, for whatever reason,
turned away.
Paul says that he had often told the Philippians of these people who once
used to walk the Christian walk. We must remember that Paul probably wrote
many letters and only a few of them were included in the Scriptures. So Paul
says, "I have often told you about these folks, and now I am telling you,
that they are enemies of the cross of Christ." Startling words, words that
should shake you in your chair. They once followed, now they are enemies.
Paul goes on to explain the results of falling away from the faith and why
they fell away in the next verse, "whose end is destruction, whose God is
their appetite, and whose glory is in their shame, who set their minds on
earthly things."
Their God is their appetite or belly. What Paul has in mind here is falling
into the trap of consumption or overly gratifying the sensual appetites.
Those who fall into this sin give the same attention to their sensual appetites
as the righteous give to God. God has been replaced by food, drink, money,
lust, or any other sensual indulgence. "For such men are
slaves, not of our Lord Christ but of their own appetites … "
Romans 16:18
Their glory is in their shame. Not only are they found to be in sin, they
are proud of it. Rather than shame they feel pride. And finally they set
their minds on earthly things. There was nothing earthly in the ministry
of Jesus and to be followers of Christ means that we ought to seek to adopt
a similar mind set that is more heavenly than earthly. When they ought to
have affections that bend toward the things of God, they cherish affections
that are grounded in things that are tied to this earth.
What is the result of this falling away? The end is destruction. "Therefore,
what benefit were you then deriving from the things of which you are now
ashamed? For the outcome of those things is death." Romans 6:21 If we apply
this personally, we can examine our lives and try to discern if we are heading
down the path toward destruction.
Have we set our minds on earthly things? Are we guilty of having improper
appetites? Only we know. But the Bible is written to us to help us examine
our lives, to give light where we have been walking in darkness, and to show
us the way that God would have us live. It is true that many walk, and I
have known many who walked for a time and then fallen away. Let us pray that
we would be those who are faithful to the high calling of fellowship with
God.
"None will have such a sad parting from Christ as those who went half-way
with Him and then left Him." William Gurnall
"The best way never to fall is ever to fear (falling)." William Jenkyn
Soli Deo Gloria,
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