Philippians 3:17-21 Amplified Bible
Like everyone else believers live in this world and are subject to the governing authorities of the land, but this world is not their home. Therefore, their life-living should reflect who they are in Christ. Addressing his brothers and sisters of the Philippian church, Paul urged them to be fellow-imitators of his example and observe those believers whose life-living was according to the model they gave them (v.17).
Paul continued, “For there are many, of whom I have often told you, and now tell you even with tears, who live as enemies of the cross of Christ [rejecting and opposing His way of salvation]” (v.18), “whose fate is destruction, whose god is their belly [their worldly appetite, their sensuality, their vanity], and whose glory is in their shame—who focus their mind on earthly and temporal things” (v.19). Paul warned the church that there are many who live as enemies of the cross of Christ. This is not the first time he warned them of those who reject and oppose Jesus’ way of salvation; however, this time he is in tears. They have their minds set on the fleshly desires and things of this world, rejecting and opposing the work Christ did on the cross. Paul’s tears are because their fate is eternal damnation. “But [we are different, because] our citizenship is in heaven. And from there we eagerly await [the coming of] the Savior, the Lord Jesus Christ” (v.20); “who, by exerting that power which enables Him even to subject everything to Himself, will [not only] transform [but completely refashion] our earthly bodies so that they will be like His glorious, resurrected body” (v.21).
Lift your voice and shout, “Glory!”