In Philippians 3:17-19 Paul talks about how we ought to live. He starts by telling the Philippians to imitate him. Oh if we only had more Christian leaders that could say that, “imitate me.” We desperately need that leadership. We need to all strive to be person that can say like Paul that we have laid it all down, that we die daily and that others should imitate us. ALL of us are called to live a life that pleases The Lord in that way.

Verse 19 is what struck me as most interesting this morning because it sounded like he was talking about 21st century Americans. There are three points he makes about these people who he says are enemies of the cross.

1. Their God is their belly
2. They glory in their shame
3. Their minds are set on earthly things

This is convicting to me because I have been guilty of some of these things. These errant qualities are timeless because the flesh is timeless. You and I might think that it’s so much harder now than it was 2000 years ago to not have our minds set on earthly things because of the age we live in. Or that the food we have now is so much more convenient or satisfying.

The reason that we see these same struggles in our culture today is because we are still waging war against the flesh. The counter to this way of thought is given to us in Colossians 3:1-2. “Seek the things that are above, where Christ is… Set your minds on things that are above, not on things that are on earth.” (esv).