Posted on 02/23/2016 8:17:35 AM PST by Salvation
In the epistle for the Second Sunday of Lent (Phil. 3:17-4:1), St. Paul laments those whom he calls enemies of the cross of Christ: For many, of whom I have often told you and now tell you even with tears, walk as enemies of the cross of Christ (Phil 3:18).
What does it mean to be an enemy of the cross? And how do people end up in this condition of being inimical to the very thing and the very One who alone can save them? St. Paul not only laments the situation, but shows how they get into this condition. He does so in a very succinct way, in one verse, as we shall see below.
But first, let's rescue the word enemy from too narrow an understanding. In modern (American) English the word "enemy" tends to be associated with a distant foe, perhaps one with missiles aimed at us or armies ready to conquer us. It is often reserved for those who threaten our life or are opposed to us in the most extreme ways. In practice it is considered almost impolite to refer to difficult people who oppose us in some way as enemies.
Enemy comes from the Latin inimici. And while inimici is best translated "enemies," its roots are in (not) + amicus (friend). So our enemies are those who are not our friends, who oppose our values, who do not wish us well or stand ready to assist us.
This understanding helps us to grasp that enemies may be very close to home, not merely on distant shores. Enemies are not just those who plot the most serious hostilities against us. Thus, when Jesus tells us to love our enemies He has more in mind than just a distant group in some foreign land. He is also referring to those who are near--even within our own families--who are not friendly, who oppose us or the things and people we value.
So when St. Paul speaks of those who are enemies of the cross of Christ, he is not just referring to those who go around tearing crucifixes off walls or demanding that crosses be removed from public property. In his very brief description, St. Paul emphasizes an opposition that escalates from mere worldliness to the outright idolatry of comfort and pleasure. Indeed, if we take St. Paul seriously and are honest with ourselves, some of us who have crucifixes in our homes and march in processions with the crucifix before us as we sing "Lift High the Cross" might find that we are in some opposition to the cross.
So let's take a deeper look at St. Paul's description of the enemies of the cross of Christ. St. Paul describes the inimical stance of some in a fourfold way: Their end is destruction, their god is their belly, and they glory in their shame, with minds set on earthly things (Phil 3:19).
St. Paul, like many ancient authors, states the result first, followed by the causes. Because that is not the usual way to present a point of view, in the reflection that follows I am going to reverse St. Paul's order. By reversing his order, I will try to show how things can escalate so that one can become an enemy of the cross.
The text says, For many, of whom I have often told you and now tell you even with tears, walk as enemies of the cross of Christ. Their end is destruction, their god is their belly, and they glory in their shame, with minds set on earthly things (Phil 3:18-19).
St. Paul describes the escalation that can make a person more and more an enemy of the cross of Christ.
I. Foolish Preoccupations -- The text says that the enemies of the cross are characterized by having minds set on earthly things.
Of the threefold origin of temptation (the world, the flesh, and the devil), the world is understood not so much as a physical place in which we live, but as a mindset, a collection of thoughts, priorities, premises, values, and goals that are opposed to God and His Word. The fundamental values and priorities of this world include the amassing of possessions, power, prestige, and pleasure. Goals such as autonomy and instant gratification, and views rooted in materialism, secularism, anthropocentrism, secular humanism, utilitarianism, and utopianism are emphasized.
There are many in this world who not only accept these flawed premises and values, but also advance them. They do this because when one follows the world's agenda, one is frequently rewarded with wealth, access, popularity, and approval.
But we were not made for these things. The finite world cannot satisfy the infinite desires that are within us. The world may well grant us temporary comforts and benefits, but in the end it takes everything back and assigns us to a stone-cold tomb.
For this reason, having our minds set on earthly things is a foolish preoccupation. Scripture says,
Do not love the world or the things in the world. If anyone loves the world, the love of the Father is not in him. For all that is in the world--the desires of the flesh and the desires of the eyes and pride of life--is not from the Father but is from the world. And the world is passing away along with its desires, but whoever does the will of God abides forever (1 John 2:15-17).
In a world that tells us to "scratch where it itches," there is going to be a cross of self-denial and of trusting God, who teaches us that we are made for more than mere trinkets. The world and devil promise pleasure now and then send you the bill later. The Lord speaks to sacrifice and discipline now and points to the fruits and blessings that come later.
To refuse this and insist exclusively on pleasure now is to become an enemy of the cross of Christ, who warns us to refuse to give our hearts over to the false promises and passing pleasures of this world. We are to crucify our excessive passions and desires (Gal 5:24). We are not to conform to the pattern of this world, but to be transformed by the renewing of our mind, so that we may be able to test and approve what God's will is (Rom 12:2).
Historically, this has meant the cross and suffering for Christians who live this way. The world and the consensus it desires (and often demands) does not take lightly the rejection inherent in true Christianity. The long legacy of persecution and hatred of Christians demonstrates this. It is one thing to choose to live our values in a personal way, but it is quite another to stand opposed (as we must) to the excesses and errors of the world and to seek to snatch others from its illusions and false promises. Marketers, industrialists, politicians, advocacy groups, ideologues, and the like all depend on a widespread "buy-in" in order for their products, projects, and schemes to advance. If we are not easily manipulated by the fears, anxieties, and guilt that the world uses to separate us from our love and loyalty to God, and our basic sense of truth, we are "off-message." We must, therefore, be silenced, either by pressure to conform or through shame. And if these do not work, then persecution: the cross.
But Scripture warns us that such crosses must be endured. Jesus says, If you were of the world, the world would love you as its own; but because you are not of the world, but I chose you out of the world, therefore the world hates you. Remember the word that I said to you: 'A servant is not greater than his master.' If they persecuted me, they will also persecute you (John 15:19-20). And St. James adds, You adulterous people! Do you not know that friendship with the world is enmity with God? Therefore whoever wishes to be a friend of the world makes himself an enemy of God (James 4:4).
Many Christians find resisting the world and its errant demands a cross too difficult to bear. It is easier to cave in to the world's demands, to "go along to get along." This can be done in a thousand little ways through small and growing compromises, or in larger, clearer ways in which one denies truths of the faith in order to receive the praise of men and the blessings that come with conformity to the ways of the world.
To the degree that this happens in our life, we subtly and increasingly become enemies of the cross of Christ. We refuse the self-denial that is necessary and foolishly set our mind on worldly things, which can neither save nor satisfy.
II. Festive Perversions -- The text says of the enemies of the cross that they glory in their shame.
As people deepen their alliance with the ways of the world, their initial compunction is gradually and steadily eroded by rationalization and by surrounding themselves with teachers who tickle their ears (2 Tim 4:3). St. Paul speaks of those who, on account of their sinfulness, suppress the truth. Claiming to be wise, they become fools as their senseless minds are darkened (Rom 1:18, 21).
And as the darkness deepens, not only do they move further away from repentance, but they actually glory in their shame. Of their lack of shame over sinful acts. St. Paul says, they not only do them but give approval to those who practice them (Rom 1:32).
And thus today we live in times of "gay pride" parades and the celebration of "gender diversity." Further, there are movies that glorify mob violence and political corruption and glamorize all sorts of evil. Some forms of music celebrate rebellion, hatred of authority, and misogyny. "Greed is good" was the theme of a movie about Wall Street in the late 1980s.
Being an enemy of the cross of Christ deepens in this stage. Not only are the crosses of self-control, self-discipline, and living within limits set aside due to human weakness, but now there is a prideful "doubling-down" in which one declares that what God calls sin ought instead to be celebrated.
This gradually becomes an outright mockery of the cross of Christ because it would seem to say that Jesus died for nothing, that the sins He died to save us from are not only not sins but are actually things worth celebrating.
These enemies of the cross see any limits as unreasonable. And if this weren't bad enough, as their inimical stance to the cross deepens they celebrate their rejection as a virtue of which to be proud. Their glory in their shame is a twisted and deformed version of tolerance; anyone who does not join in their celebration is guilty of one of the few sins left in their worldview: intolerance. Traditional biblical morality now becomes a form of hate, of intolerant bigotry.
This leads to a de facto rejection of God, at least the true God of Scripture:
III. Fallen Passions -- The texts says of the enemies of the cross, their god is their belly.
At some point the enmity toward the cross grows deep enough that the passions and pleasures of the world reach a godlike status, and indulging them becomes in effect a form of idolatry. All human beings struggle at some level with unruly passions and desires. But as long as we struggle and engage in the battle we are still clinging to the cross. Having rejected the cross by outright glorying in their shame, enemies of the Cross now begin to imbue their sins with a kind of godlike quality.
We know how easily money can become like a god to some; they give their whole life over to its acquisition. For them it is the most worthy and valuable thing they have. It is at the center, where God properly belongs.
In the sexual arena the idolatry is more subtle, but it is still evident in the way some talk. Consider that many today attribute their sexually irregular state to God Himself. They say, "God made me this way" and speak of sins and sinful desires as a gift from God. Some equate their desire with the very voice of God; the simple fact that they have a desire must mean that God put it there, and if God put it there it must be good.
In this way a fallen and disordered desire is thought to come from the very voice and will of God, and should therefore be accorded the reverence and obedience due to God Himself.
In this third stage, those who entertain such notions have entered idolatry's clutches. In effect, they reinvent God and ignore His actual revelation in Scripture and Sacred Tradition. But a reinvented god is not the one, true God, and to worship and obey such a false god is idolatrous.
IV. Final Place -- The text says of these enemies of the Cross: their end is destruction.
Only the true Christ and His true cross can save. Those who stand opposed to the cross embrace a poor destiny indeed. An old litany says, "Sow a thought, reap a deed. Sow a deed, reap a habit. Sow a habit, reap a character. Sow a character, reap a destiny." And so we see how our stances deepen within us, either for or against God.
It is therefore a serious matter to permit enmity for the cross to grow within us in any way. It begins with simple weakness and aversion to the more difficult and narrow way of the cross. Then we begin to surround ourselves with teachers who assure us that our sins aren't all that important or even that we can outright celebrate our sins. This then leads to a growing form of idolatry in which we reinvent and reimagine God, going so far as to call our sinful desires godly. The final stage is destruction, for a fake god, an idol, cannot save us. Only the One true God, who told us to take up our cross daily, can save us.
Beware the tendency to become an enemy of the cross of Christ. Spare us, O Lord, from our foolish tendency to substitute false religion. With St. Paul and all the saints may I be determined to know nothing except Jesus Christ, and Him crucified
In post 172 you said, and I copy and paste....."No question Jesus violated many of the precepts of the Jewish Law; He was, after all, convicted of blasphemy."
You, right here, state that Jesus sinned. That's what violating the Law is. It's sin.
*No question* you said. You made yourself very clear.
Now you're backtracking and claiming that Jesus did not sin.
Well, which is it? Did He sin and break the Law or not?
Heh, I can articulate my faith.
Jesus is my Lord and Savior. When I put my faith and trust in Him He saved me and I was born again.
Christ now dwells in my heart through faith and that is why I’m saved and secure in it.
Not just because I said so, but because He who is faithful has promised.
After all, some great Christian said something along the lines of our salvation is secure because of God’s promise to us, not our promise to God.
John 6 indeed speaks of many things besides the Real Presence in the Eucharist. On the latter, however, it demolishes the Protestant illusion that at the Last Supper, and generally at Catholic Liturgy ever since, the words “this is my body/blood” are somehow metaphorical, symbolic or allegorical. If you want to change the topic to something else, I understand but I am here to make this particular point.
And are they wrong in their charge?
Correct. The point is that it marks the departure from Christianity as a branch of Judaism to Christianity proper. Offering to eat His body at what began as a Seder meal is a pivotal part of the departure. I bring it up because someone here "explained" to me that good Jews do not eat their friends' flesh.
:-)
Ah, sure.
See, faith is what you do. So if that Atheist/Muslim professes Atheism and Islam as day is long and then puts down his life for his friends and enemies alike, then that is done objectively in imitation of Jesus, and may save him when his day comes. Compare Matthew 25:31-46.
Jesus violated many of the precepts of the Jewish law and He also never sinned.
When God breathed into Adam, what did Adam become? Please keep in mind the reference Jesus gave to Nicodemus regarding the Holy Spirit being like the wind ... Adam became a living soul, not just a soul like the other creatures on the Planet, a living soul -Life in the soul as a spirit not yet encumbered by sin.
In Leviticus there is law given to not eat the blood of the creature because the life is in the blood. When Cain slew Abel, what cried out from the ground? ... The blood of the innocent, for the life of the creature Abel was in his blood. All creation groaneth awaiting the new World God will bring that is without sin. Do the creatures of the world have a spirit, or only a soul? ... the Bible teaches that man is body, soul, and spirit. It does not teach that animals have a spirit.
What did Jesus tell His disciples profiteth for the spiritual life? ... He told them that His words were spirit and life. He had just stymied the twisters and chasers after a sign by exposing their limits of seeing only the soul and body, the body in which the life is in the blood. To His disciples He gave deeper instruction, showing them that He came to give SPIRITUAL LIFE to those who faithe in Him, that consuming the body gave no spiritual life for the Words He speaks to them they are spirit and LIFE. [John 6]
When a catholic eats the catholic wafer, is it to get the life of the physical body of Jesus into themselves? ... Jesus is occupying His physical body presently and forever more. It had the wounds from the crucifixion in that body when Jesus told Thomas to stretch forth his hand to the wound in Jesus's side. Jesus is in that body drawing life from The Father, as He explained to His disciples in John 6, that the life He lives is drawn fromt he Father. The life of the creature is in the blood; the Life in Jesus is in The Spirit. And it is THAT LIFE which Jesus came to give to us who are from fallen Adam, for in the day that Adam fell, the Spirit life went out of his spirit. He remained physically alive, with his blood coarsing through his body, but in that day he surely did die! Satan's lie was that in the day they sinned they would not surely die: the lie conflated spirit life with creature life. The catholic Eucharist does something very similar, claiming the catholic eats the very body and blood of Jesus in the catholic wafer.
When a young man came to Jesus and asked what else he need do to inherit eternal life, what happened? ... When the young man turned away and the disciples asked Jesus if they should go after him, what did Jesus tell them? ... Let the dead go bury the dead. Jesus referred to the lack of spirit life in their human spirits. The young man walked away a dead soul but living body.
When Nicodemus came to Jesus asking about spiritual things, Jesus told him that a man must be born again, born from above. We know this did not mean a man must enter again into a mother's womb and be born in body again, so we reason that Jesus was referring to being born from above by God placing in the man's spirit that which went out with Adam, Life more abundantly. Adam could pass to his children the place for spirit life, but only God conveys Spirit Life to the human spirit we inherited from Adam.
If you walk into the cathedral and receive the Eucharist, is your blood dead? No, but unless you have been born from above, your spirit is in a state of deadness, for only the spirit Life God offers can make you alive forever more in Christ. You do not consume the actual flesh and blood of Jesus, but by faithing in what He did for you on the cross you are remembering the Life that is not in the blood but in the Spirit. Being born from above is not an act of endless repetition for you. Once you are born from above you are in the family of Jesus. When you partake of the communion you are acknowledging your allegiance and reliance upon The Life in your spirit, there by the Promise of God in response to your believing in the One God sent for your spirit to have Life.
Jesus would not violate the very laws He came to fulfill, and especially would not cause His disciples to commit such a violation against Levitical Laws on the night before He went to the cross to be the only propitiation possible for sin, The Lamb of God Who takes away the sin of the world. The Lamb of God was without spot or blemish thus thesinless sacrifice ...
The CCC even claims this is a re-sacrifice of Christ again.
Each time the catholic claims the Eucharist, he/she re-sacrifices Christ again and again and again, and on, and on, and on.
I guess that's why catholics still protray Him on the Cross when the NT present Him as no longer on the Cross.
1366 The Eucharist is thus a sacrifice because it re-presents (makes present) the sacrifice of the cross, because it is its memorial and because it applies its fruit: [Christ], our Lord and God, was once and for all to offer himself to God the Father by his death on the altar of the cross, to accomplish there an everlasting redemption. But because his priesthood was not to end with his death, at the Last Supper "on the night when he was betrayed," [he wanted] to leave to his beloved spouse the Church a visible sacrifice (as the nature of man demands) by which the bloody sacrifice which he was to accomplish once for all on the cross would be re-presented, its memory perpetuated until the end of the world, and its salutary power be applied to the forgiveness of the sins we daily commit.189
1367 The sacrifice of Christ and the sacrifice of the Eucharist are one single sacrifice: "The victim is one and the same: the same now offers through the ministry of priests, who then offered himself on the cross; only the manner of offering is different." "And since in this divine sacrifice which is celebrated in the Mass, the same Christ who offered himself once in a bloody manner on the altar of the cross is contained and is offered in an unbloody manner. . . this sacrifice is truly propitiatory."190
Again the high priest asked him, and said to him: Art thou the Christ the Son of the blessed God? And Jesus said to him: I am. And you shall see the Son of man sitting on the right hand of the power of God, and coming with the clouds of heaven. (Mark 14:61-62)
If the person realizes what he/she is doing and what the differences in beliefs are, I’d say that it was a SERIOUS defamation of the Eucharist and would be an INTENTIONAL act against Christ.
You are paraphrasing John 6:64 (your numbering might be wrong):
It is the spirit that quickeneth: the flesh profiteth nothing. The words that I have spoken to you, are spirit and life.
No one is making an argument that the eating of "the catholic wafer" profits the body. It is an act of faith that shapes our souls. So the points you are making come from the ignorance of the scripture and ignorance of the authentic Christianity.
The life of the creature is in the blood; the Life in Jesus is in The Spirit
That is Gnostic nonsense. Christ very much died the death of a body, physical body. If you think that the Eucharist has nothing to do with the body of Christ, not only are you denying His words, you are also denying that the death on the Cross was physical death, and that the torture was physical torture.
. Being born from above is not an act of endless repetition for you
One must be baptized - born from above - in order to receive the Eucharist, true. One cannot be re-baptized, also true. But one can re-affirm the baptismal promise and in fact one is asked to at Mass. This is why the holy water is at the entrance.
I disagree bro. If Jesus violated ANY precept of the Jewish law, he would have been a sinner. He did not accept the perversion of the so called leaders of Judaism, who strained at a gnat and swallowed a camel.
He didn't accept their useless traditions, because they were teaching for doctrine, the commandments of men. Most of us don't accept the traditions of other religions, which will not be named at this time. If some people do, that's on them.
What they believed and when they believed it, we don't know from the New Testament, yes, but we know that Christ told them what they were eating at the Last Supper, and then St. Paul admonished the faithful to "discern the body" (1 Cor 11:27-29).
The CCC even claims this is a re-sacrifice of Christ again
No it doesn't. The canons 1366 and 1367 say that the Eucharist makes the one and only sacrifice of Christ present again; it does not say it is another sacrifice.
What physical evidence does your overwhelming ability to discern reality require.....MOST Christians beelieve it just because Christ said it
Here is another tenet of the Jewish Law triumphantly violated:
he saw the heaven opened, and a certain vessel descending, as it were a great linen sheet let down by the four corners from heaven to the earth: Wherein were all manner of fourfooted beasts, and creeping things of the earth, and fowls of the air. And there came a voice to him: Arise, Peter; kill and eat. But Peter said: Far be it from me; for I never did eat any thing that is common and unclean. And the voice spoke to him again the second time: That which God hath cleansed, do not thou call common. (Acts 10:11-15)
Or else you will not benefit from the Eucharist....VERY sad.
more childish than usual....sigh
Luther NEVER did, Lutherans do because by revolting against Catholicism, they fell away from the apostolic succession required to pass along holy orders.
Disclaimer: Opinions posted on Free Republic are those of the individual posters and do not necessarily represent the opinion of Free Republic or its management. All materials posted herein are protected by copyright law and the exemption for fair use of copyrighted works.