“For many walk… that they are the enemies of the cross of Christ:”
— Philippians 3:18 (KJV)
Paul did not say this about atheists.
He was speaking about people who walked among believers yet opposed the message of the cross.
That should cause us to pause.
It is possible to speak about Jesus…
Attend church…
Even appear religious…
And still oppose the very message of the cross.
▪️WHAT DOES IT MEAN TO BE AN ENEMY OF THE CROSS?
The cross declares one simple truth:
Man cannot save himself.
The cross leaves no room for human merit.
No room for religious achievement.
No room for boasting.
Paul writes:
“For the preaching of the cross is to them that perish foolishness; but unto us which are saved it is the power of God.”
1 Corinthians 1:18 (KJV)
Anyone who adds works, ceremonies, or law-keeping to Christ’s finished work is moving away from the sufficiency of the cross.
▪️LAW VS GRACE
One of the greatest enemies of the cross is the mixture of Law and Grace.
Religion says:
• Keep the Law to stay accepted.
• Earn God’s favor.
• Maintain your salvation through your performance.
Grace says:
• Christ finished the work.
• Salvation is God’s gift.
• Believers stand accepted in Christ because of His righteousness, not their own.
The cross proclaims that Jesus paid it all.
▪️ISRAEL VS THE BODY OF CHRIST
Much confusion arises because God’s program for Israel is blended with His present program for the Church.
Israel had covenant responsibilities connected with the Law and the promised earthly kingdom.
Today, the Body of Christ lives under the Dispensation of Grace.
Paul reminds us:
“For I speak to you Gentiles, inasmuch as I am the apostle of the Gentiles, I magnify mine office.”
Romans 11:13 (KJV)
The risen Christ entrusted Paul with the doctrine for the Church today.
When we ignore Paul’s distinctive apostleship, we often mix instructions from different dispensations and obscure the message of the cross.
▪️PROPHECY VS MYSTERY
The prophets spoke of Israel’s kingdom.
Paul revealed the Mystery that had been hidden from ages and generations.
Today, God is forming the Body of Christ through the preaching of the Gospel of Grace.
That message must not be replaced with religious tradition or human effort.
▪️THE GOSPEL OF GRACE
The message that saves today is wonderfully simple:
“How that Christ died for our sins according to the scriptures; And that he was buried, and that he rose again the third day according to the scriptures.”
1 Corinthians 15:3–4 (KJV)
Nothing needs to be added.
Christ’s work is complete.
Faith rests in Him alone.
▪️EXAMINE THE MESSAGE
Paul’s concern was not merely who people claimed to follow.
It was what they were teaching.
Ask yourself:
👉 Does this teaching exalt Christ’s finished work?
👉 Does it point sinners to grace through faith?
👉 Or does it place confidence in human performance?
The answer reveals whether the cross is being honored or undermined.
▪️THE BLESSED CONCLUSION
The cross of Christ is more than a symbol.
It is God’s declaration that salvation is accomplished through the death, burial, and resurrection of His Son.
When we rightly divide:
• Israel and the Body of Christ.
• Law and Grace.
• Prophecy and Mystery.
The message of the cross stands in all its clarity and power.
Let us never become enemies of the cross by adding to what Christ has already finished.
Instead, let us glory in the cross and faithfully proclaim the Gospel of the Grace of God.
