WITH FRIENDS LIKE THIS, JESUS DOESN’T NEED ENEMIES
“Unfortunately, many go about in a way which shows them to be enemies of the cross of Christ.” —Philippians 3:18
Our lifestyle shows the world whether we are friends or enemies of the crucified Jesus (Phil 3:18). We, His disciples, testify to our belief in His crucified love by the way we go about denying ourselves and carrying our own crosses (see Lk 9:23).
Your own life screams to the world that you are a friend or an enemy of the cross of Jesus. What is your life saying? What crosses would you run away from if Jesus offered them to you? (see Mk 14:50-51) Would you flee from the crosses of:
- having more children in obedience to God’s will,
- speaking up in public for Jesus at the risk of ridicule,
- tithing ten percent of your income and giving alms,
- fasting another day a week to win spiritual victories,
- turning off or throwing out your TV, and limiting time on your handheld electronic devices,
- making a public stand for life,
- working for justice for the poor and oppressed,
- speaking out publicly for holiness and chastity, or
- being a caregiver for a dying or special-needs person?
Jesus offers these and other crosses to us every day. When we decide to be a friend of His cross and pick it up each day, we paradoxically find our life (Lk 9:24) instead of losing it. “Enemies of the cross of Christ…will end in disaster!” (Phil 3:18, 19) Repent of refusing any cross. Die to the “things of this world” (Phil 3:19). Lift high your cross.
Prayer: Jesus, may I be crucified to the world (Gal 6:14). May I never leave the foot of Your cross — not even for a moment of relief. I find all my comfort in being by Your side (cf Ps 94:19).
Promise: “We have our citizenship in heaven.” —Phil 3:20
Praise: Margaret was told she could not have children, but God gave her ten.
