Enemies of the Cross--the peril of worldly ministers

Arthur Pink, et al.

(You will find it helpful to LISTEN to the Audio, as you READ the text below.)

"As I have often told you before, and now say again even with tears--many live as enemies of the Cross of Christ.
 Their destiny is destruction,
 their god is their stomach,
 and their glory is in their shame.
 Their mind is on earthly things!" Philippians 3:18–19

How grievous is the spectacle of men who claim to serve Christ, yet crave the world! They mount the pulpit, carry the Bible, and speak much of love--but their affections are chained to the world. Their prayers are polished, their platforms are popular, and their names are praised--yet they are lost! They are enemies of the Cross, and the Apostle writes of them with tears.

Such men are not pagans.

They are professing ministers.

They do not outright deny Christ--they dilute Him.

They do not discard the Bible--they distort it.

Their god is not Jehovah--it is their belly. That is, their god is their appetite, comfort, fame, security, applause. They speak of glory, but it is their own, not His.

There is scarcely a more loathsome evil, than the perversion of the Gospel by those entrusted to preach it. The Lord does not take lightly, those who dare to trade His truth for treasure, or reduce His blood-bought Gospel into a scheme for gain.

Micah thundered in his day, "Her priests teach for a price… yet they lean on the LORD and say, 'Is not the LORD among us?'" (Micah 3:11). The same spirit pervades much of modern ministry. "God is here," they say, while their lives deny Him. Smooth sermons, wide smiles, and packed churches--cannot hide the stench of compromise. God sees the heart. He knows who serves Him--and who serves Mammon.

Jesus left no room for divided loyalty: "You cannot serve both God and Money." The servant of Christ must be crucified to this world (Galatians 6:14), emptied of self-interest, and consumed with the glory of God. He is a herald of the King, sent to preach repentance, judgment, and grace--whether men will hear or refuse.

Dear reader, do not be seduced by outward success in ministry.
Measure a man, not by his popularity, but by . . .
  his faithfulness to Scripture,
  his fear of God,
  and his detachment from the world.

And if you are in ministry yourself, tremble before these words: "In their greed, these teachers will exploit you… Their condemnation has long been hanging over them!" 2 Peter 2:3

Oh, that God would purge His Church of hirelings, and raise up faithful, God-fearing men!

"Are you seeking great things for yourself?
  Do not seek them!" Jeremiah 45:5

"O Holy Father, deliver us from every snare of worldly ambition. Cleanse Your Church of those who traffic in truth for gain. Raise up a remnant of God-centered, Christ-exalting, Spirit-filled men--who will preach the Word in season and out, with no concern for fame or fortune. Let the Cross be our only boast, and Heaven our only reward. Amen."