17 Brothers, join in imitating me, and keep your eyes on those who walk according to the example you have in us. 18 For many, of whom I have often told you and now tell you even with tears, walk as enemies of the cross of Christ. 19 Their end is destruction, their god is their belly, and they glory in their shame, with minds set on earthly things. 20 But our citizenship is in heaven, and from it we await a Savior, the Lord Jesus Christ, 21 who will transform our lowly body to be like his glorious body, by the power that enables him even to subject all things to himself. (Philippians 3)
When we think about Paul's letter to the Philippian Church, the first work we often think of is "Joy". It is a major theme. So this passage sticks out like a sort thumb, because Paul is crying. He is crying over those who may profess Christ, but do not walk as His followers. They are self-centered, sensual, and shameless in what they do with their bodies. This is inconsistent with what Christ will be doing with our bodies. Like our mind and spirit, Christ will transform our bodies. If that His intent and plan, why in the world would we drag our bodies through the dung of sinful living? It's a crying shame, bringing tears to Paul's eyes, Jesus' eyes, and hopefully to our own.
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