Now, if I thought myself mature for one moment and not distracted by earthly things (see Friday’s post, Phil 3:19), I only have to read a bit further in Paul’s letter to realize I have a LONG way to go.

For when Paul writes, (Jesus) “will transform our lowly body that it may be conformed to His glorious body” (3:22), my mind goes right back to being distracted by earthly things.

I begin to think about that new body, and you know what thoughts run through my mind? “No more gray hairs to pull out, no more cellulite, no wrinkles around my eyes…”

Silly. Not important. Earthly things!!

That quick.
That distracting!

I’ve got to reign in those silly thoughts or off to the rabbit trail of earthly distraction I go!

It’s that easy! It’s that quick! and it can go from silly to dangerous pretty fast.

I’m convinced this flesh vs spirit struggle is a battle I will always face this side of Heaven . And I’m thankful the Lord helps me to often see this so as not to get too big for my spiritual britches!

Why? Because, being distracted by earthly things will lead us down a destructive path where our lives do not give glory to the Lord. So, Christian beware.

But remember, Paul is warning Christians, but Paul is WEEPING FOR THE LOST whose god is their belly, those who indulge in sinful sensual pleasures as a lifestyle, those who glory in shameful, anti-biblical things, whose minds are consumed by empty, earthly goals — Paul says, their end is destruction!

Destruction.

God is very clear about the judgment He will impose on those who go their own way, live for themselves, and refuse to ever follow Christ as Lord (boss) of their lives. (See Luke 8:19-21)

Yes, God is a loving God, but let’s don’t ignore the fact that He is a just God who will invoke wrath on those who walk, as a lifestyle, in disobedience.

We all “step” in sin but those who willfully walk in disobedience better beware!

Oh, it may not be popular to say, but God’s Word is very clear on this! Don’t take my word for it, read His—

The Bible says, “Let no one deceive you with empty words, for because of these things the wrath of God comes upon the sons of disobedience”. (Eph 5:6)

“The Lord is a jealous and avenging God; the Lord is avenging and wrathful; the Lord takes vengeance on his adversaries and keeps wrath for his enemies. The Lord is slow to anger and great in power, and the Lord will by no means clear the guilty. His way is in whirlwind and storm, and the clouds are the dust of his feet. He rebukes the sea and makes it dry; he dries up all the rivers; Bashan and Carmel wither; the bloom of Lebanon withers. The mountains quake before him; the hills melt; the earth heaves before him, the world and all who dwell in it. Who can stand before his indignation? Who can endure the heat of his anger? His wrath is poured out like fire, and the rocks are broken into pieces by him”. (Nahum 1:2-6)

“For if we go on sinning deliberately after receiving the knowledge of the truth, there no longer remains a sacrifice for sins, but a fearful expectation of judgment, and a fury of fire that will consume the adversaries. Anyone who has set aside the law of Moses dies without mercy on the evidence of two or three witnesses. How much worse punishment, do you think, will be deserved by the one who has spurned the Son of God, and has profaned the blood of the covenant by which he was sanctified, and has outraged the Spirit of grace? For we know him who said, “Vengeance is mine; I will repay.” And again, “The Lord will judge his people.” …(Heb 10:26-31)

“Now the works of the flesh are evident: sexual immorality, impurity, sensuality, idolatry, sorcery, enmity, strife, jealousy, fits of anger, rivalries, dissensions, divisions, envy, drunkenness, orgies, and things like these. I warn you, as I warned you before, that those who do such things will not inherit the kingdom of God”. (Gal 5:19-21)

God warns-“If anyone does not abide in me he is thrown away like a branch and withers; and the branches are gathered, thrown into the fire, and burned”. (John 15:6)

Friend, the day is coming, and perhaps soon, when there will be a final judgment.

Is Jesus Lord (boss) of your life or are you an enemy of the Cross whose end is destruction?

readPhilippians

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