NUMBER ONE: "Whose god is their appetite." Those who truly believe in and follow after the cross of Christ give up their own desires and surrender all that they are and all that they have to Jesus and His kingdom. An "enemy of the cross" has only the desire to fill his belly, his pockets and to satisfy his temporal need. Remember that only one disciple betrayed the Lord Jesus and why? For his own prosperity......for money.
NUMBER TWO: "Whose glory is their shame." The Bible says that our righteousness is as filthy rags, yet those spoken of by Paul in this verse glory in the shame of their own works. They will tell many stories of their great faith and the works they have done. A friend of the cross lifts up only Jesus. John the Baptist had it right when he said, "He ( Jesus ) must increase and I must decrease.
NUMBER THREE: Who mind earthly things." The message of many so-called Bible teachers today is on how to get rich or how to be a success in this life. This is a message opposite of the one taught in the New Testament. Peter tells us that all in this life will melt away with a fervent heat and the works thereof burnt up. They conveniently neglect to remind you that this world is not our home, and we shouldn't get too attached or store up treasures here that moth and rust destroy. Instead they teach "seed faith", where you give to get back. This concept is hard to distinguish from the selling of indulgences by the Roman Catholic church. It's akin to bargaining with God.
We must always be careful of the message AND the messenger! If the cross of Christ is not the centerpiece of all that is said and done, you may be listening to or you, yourself become an "enemy of the cross."
Very revealing... Thanks Steve.
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