𝗪𝗛𝗢 𝗔𝗥𝗘 𝗧𝗛𝗘 𝗘𝗡𝗘𝗠𝗜𝗘𝗦 𝗢𝗙 𝗧𝗛𝗘 𝗖𝗥𝗢𝗦𝗦?

𝗪𝗛𝗢 𝗔𝗥𝗘 𝗧𝗛𝗘 𝗘𝗡𝗘𝗠𝗜𝗘𝗦 𝗢𝗙 𝗧𝗛𝗘 𝗖𝗥𝗢𝗦𝗦?

(Philippians 3:18-19 KJV)

𝗜𝗻𝘁𝗿𝗼𝗱𝘂𝗰𝘁𝗶𝗼𝗻

From a Dispensationalist view, this is not just about unbelievers, but also religious people who distort the gospel of grace by adding works, law, or earthly pursuits.

Paul, with a broken heart, warned the Philippian believers that not everyone who claims to be religious is a friend of the cross. Some are outright enemies—not because they reject religion, but because they corrupt the gospel of grace. In this present dispensation of grace, the cross is not a symbol of ritual, but the finished work of Christ for our salvation (1 Cor. 15:1–4). Anyone who undermines this truth becomes an enemy of the cross.

𝗧𝗛𝗘 𝗣𝗥𝗘𝗧𝗘𝗡𝗗𝗘𝗥𝗦

They appear religious but deny the power of the gospel. Their outward show hides inward unbelief (2 Tim. 3:5).

𝗧𝗛𝗘 𝗣𝗘𝗥𝗩𝗘𝗥𝗧𝗘𝗥𝗦

They twist the gospel of grace by mixing law and works with faith, creating “another gospel” (Gal. 1:6–9).

𝗧𝗛𝗘 𝗣𝗥𝗢𝗨𝗗

Enemies glory in themselves rather than in Christ’s finished work. They boast in rituals, heritage, or denominational traditions (Phil. 3:4–6).

𝗧𝗛𝗘 𝗣𝗟𝗘𝗔𝗦𝗘𝗥𝗦

They live for the approval of men, not God. Enemies of the cross are more concerned with crowds than with truth (Gal. 1:10).

𝗧𝗛𝗘 𝗣𝗥𝗢𝗦𝗣𝗘𝗥𝗜𝗧𝗬-𝗦𝗘𝗘𝗞𝗘𝗥𝗦

Paul says, “whose God is their belly” (Phil. 3:19). They turn ministry into money-making, exploiting people for gain (1 Tim. 6:5).

𝗧𝗛𝗘 𝗣𝗢𝗟𝗟𝗨𝗧𝗘𝗗

Enemies glory in their shame. What God calls sin, they celebrate. They twist grace as a license to sin (Rom. 6:1–2; Jude 4).

𝗧𝗛𝗘 𝗣𝗢𝗟𝗜𝗧𝗜𝗖𝗔𝗟𝗟𝗬-𝗠𝗜𝗡𝗗𝗘𝗗

They “mind earthly things” (Phil. 3:19). Their focus is on kingdoms of this world, not the heavenly calling of the Body of Christ (Col. 3:1–2).

𝗧𝗛𝗘 𝗣𝗢𝗪𝗘𝗥-𝗛𝗨𝗡𝗚𝗥𝗬

Some use religion to control and manipulate. They love authority more than servanthood (3 John 9–10).

𝗧𝗛𝗘 𝗣𝗛𝗜𝗟𝗢𝗦𝗢𝗣𝗛𝗘𝗥𝗦

They rely on human wisdom and tradition rather than the revelation of the mystery given to Paul (Col. 2:8).

𝗧𝗛𝗘 𝗣𝗘𝗥𝗦𝗜𝗦𝗧𝗘𝗡𝗧 𝗢𝗣𝗣𝗢𝗦𝗘𝗥𝗦

They actively resist the truth of Pauline doctrine, just as the Judaizers did in Paul’s day (Acts 15:1; 2 Tim. 3:8).

𝗖𝗼𝗻𝗰𝗹𝘂𝘀𝗶𝗼𝗻

The enemies of the cross are not just atheists or skeptics, but often religious leaders, false teachers, and worldly-minded people who distort, deny, or distract from the finished work of Christ. Paul warns us with tears because these enemies are dangerous, deceiving, and destructive. But we who believe the gospel of grace must stand firm, glory only in the cross, and walk in the Spirit.

𝗖𝗮𝗹𝗹 𝘁𝗼 𝗔𝗰𝘁𝗶𝗼𝗻

Discern false teachers who pervert the gospel.

Defend the cross of Christ as the only basis of salvation.

Detach from earthly-minded religion.

Devote yourself to Christ and His finished work.

Declare the pure gospel of grace (1 Cor. 15:1–4).

Denounce works-based systems of salvation.

Depend on the Spirit for discernment.

Delight only in the cross, not in human glory.

Demonstrate grace in life and ministry.

Draw others to Christ, not to yourself.

𝗧𝗵𝗲 𝗰𝗿𝗼𝘀𝘀 𝗱𝗶𝘃𝗶𝗱𝗲𝘀 𝘁𝗵𝗲 𝘄𝗼𝗿𝗹𝗱: 𝘀𝗼𝗺𝗲 𝘀𝗲𝗲 𝗶𝘁 𝗮𝘀 𝗳𝗼𝗼𝗹𝗶𝘀𝗵𝗻𝗲𝘀𝘀, 𝗼𝘁𝗵𝗲𝗿𝘀 𝗮𝘀 𝘁𝗵𝗲 𝗽𝗼𝘄𝗲𝗿 𝗼𝗳 𝗚𝗼𝗱. 𝗪𝗵𝗶𝗰𝗵 𝘀𝗶𝗱𝗲 𝗮𝗿𝗲 𝘆𝗼𝘂 𝗼𝗻?