Philip Dampier's Blog

Chapter 3, Verse 18 “For many, of whom I have often told you and now tell you even with tears, walk as enemies of the cross of Christ.”

Without a doubt this is a sad verse. We are not surprised that it brought the strong-minded Apostle to tears. He loved Jesus and he loved Jesus’ church and it breaks his heart that those who had claimed Jesus had managed to become enemies of the cross itself. Their false teaching was not only damning to themselves but also to others. Those false teachers were a thorn in Paul’s side as surely as his physical ailment.

It is hard to imagine that people would walk as enemies of the cross. Paul said they did and we know that it is still being done today. Those who teach contrary to the words of the Holy Spirit (Bible) walk as enemies of the cross. They are often successful in their work because their audience is ignorant of what the Holy Spirit actually said. Modern day Christians have a responsibility to confront them and their false teachings just as Paul did. Unfortunately, the church has frequently adopted a position of toleration rather than one of confrontation.

Task for Today: Regardless of what modern day Pauls are doing you must stand up against false teachers and false teaching. To do that you must prepare yourself with the gospel so that you can defend the gospel. To recognize error you must know the truth. What effort are you making to do that?