Covenant Keeper's

17 Brethren, be followers together of me, and mark them which walk so as ye have us for an ensample. 18 (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: 19 Whose end is destruction, whose God is their belly, and whose glory is in their shame, who mind earthly things.) 20 For our conversation is in heaven; from whence also we look for the Saviour, the Lord Jesus Christ: 21 Who shall change our vile body, that it may be fashioned like unto his glorious body, according to the working whereby he is able even to subdue all things unto himself.

WE’RE IN A SECRET BATTLE

We live in a time of war.there no soldiers in this battle. There are no landing craft, no bombers flying in formation, no artillery emplacement. Yet attacks occur every minute of every day.

These verses give the reasons for the exhortations in verse 17: many live as enemies of the cross of Christ. Believers should be able to determine truth from error (cf. ). Paul was so concerned about the Philippians’ spiritual welfare that he warned them often and wept as he did so.

As enemies of God these false teachers were destined for destruction. Those Paul warned against were perhaps profligates in incipient Gnosticism who trusted in their own attainments and not in the sufficiency of Christ alone. All who do so are not children of God, so they await destruction. This word (apōleia) does not mean annihilation but rather ruination by separation from the presence of God in eternal judgment.

The battle we’re in is a battle of ideas. Ideals are thoughts and suggestions about what we ought to do. Our ideas largely determine our understanding of life’s meaning and guide us in the way we live. Everyone forms ideals about question such as:

Am I loved? If i were to disappear, would anyone miss me?

Why do I hurt?Bad thing have happen to me. Can I overcome them and find joy?

Does my life have meaning?Is it possible for me find direction in life?

Why can’t we just get along?What will it take for us to stop fight and find harmony?

Is there any hope for the world? So many things seem to be going wrong.

The set of ideals that we form in answers to these questions is called a worldview.

Five Declarations of freedom

I am loved. Deep, unconditional love exists, and I can have it.

My suffering will be overcome. Hurt will not win. Indeed it has already lost.

I have an incredible calling. My life has meaning. I bear God’s image.

I am meant for community. I can overcome conflict and live at peace with those around me.

There is hope for the world. I am not doomed. What is right and just and true will win.

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