October 10

"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." — Philippians 3:18, 19.

THERE is no age in which the Church has been free from hypocrites and false professors. Many have endeavored to employ this fact as an argument against religion, but it is just the reverse; for there must be real coin, or the counterfeit never would exist. There were such characters in Paul's time, and he lamented it. Let us notice

THE MATTER OF HIS ADDRESS. It contains an affecting account of inconsistent and seducing professors. They are described in four ways.

Their number. "Many walk." How many have the name of Christ on the lips, who have not received his Spirit in their hearts! It becomes us therefore to bring ourselves to the unerring test of God's word, and search our principles, motives, dispositions, and feelings.

Their conduct. It was voluptuous. "Whose God is their belly." It is an awful thing when individuals are more anxious to pamper the body than to feed the soul. Christianity teaches us to let our moderation be known to all men. It was unblushing. "Whose glory is in their shame." Sin debases and degrades our nature, and impenitent sinners pride themselves in it, instead of being ashamed of it. It was worldly. "Who mind earthly things," that is, whose spirits, thoughts, and desires, are drowned in them, instead of being fixed on more exalted subjects.

Their character. "They are the enemies of the cross of Christ." This description applies to all who are in a natural state, and undecided in religion; for, says the Saviour, "he that is not with me is against me;" enemies to his person, his cause, his word, his cross, and his people. It is an awful truth, that mere negative virtue, and the lifeless form of religion, may be as hurtful to the great interests of mankind as the positive crimes of the wicked. The stagnant pool may be as noxious as the bursting torrent.

Their end. "Whose end is destruction." Thus the stream of wickedness runs into the sea of divine wrath. The end of sinners is everlasting destruction from the presence of the Lord. Let me avoid it and mind heavenly things, that mine may be the path of the just, which is as the shining light that shineth more and more unto the perfect day.