Down to Earth But Heavenly Minded

Question:

What class does the Apostle speak of in Philippians 3:18-19?

Answer:

I believe whenever the Apostle writes such solemn words and warnings as these, that he has his mind upon those who have professed the name of Christ, but who, in their worldly fruitless lives, plainly show that it is a mere profession without reality, and are thus the greater enemies to the Cross of Christ ― joining to the name of Christ a life which had the things of earth for its object, instead of that which filled the soul of Paul, a Christ in heavenly glory, who had been rejected by the world.

Doubtless the end of such would be utter “destruction” not merely the “destruction of the flesh” of 1 Corinthians 5:5, to which you allude. Such solemn words as these, while searching to all consciences, have in view the mere lifeless professor in the outward universal Church, and are never used to stumble the true believer, or to throw the faintest shadow of a doubt on the certitude of his perfect, eternal, unalterable security in Christ. But when the walk is careless and disobedient, and one sees that souls are satisfied with the knowledge of grace, without seeking to grow up to Christ in all things, it is blessed to have such solemn words to search the conscience deeply, and to provoke the Christian to make his calling and election sure, by adding to his faith, virtue, knowledge, temperance, patience, godliness, brotherly kindness, and charity (see 2 Peter 1:5-11), and walking suitably to his high and holy calling.

I am daily more deeply impressed ― may the impression be deeply engraved upon the hearts of both writer and reader ― that in our walk as Christians we should strain every nerve in practical Christianity and obedience to the Lord, as though our soul’s salvation depended entirely upon ourselves; and yet with the perfect consciousness, at the same time, that it does not depend on ourselves at all. This is so important in a day of much knowledge of the full free grace of the Gospel, and much high-sounding profession, and, alas! but little thorough reality or true-hearted devotedness to Christ. A yielding of ourselves to God, as those that are alive from the dead, and our members as instruments of righteousness unto God! and a bringing of every thought into captivity to the obedience of Christ!