Today many are following man instead of following the Lord; it is ok to do that ,if they qualify in saying “Follow me as I follow Christ. That is what Paul said to those who were following him.

In Philippians’ 3:17-18 “Brethren, Join in following my example, and observe those who walk according to the pattern you have in us. For many walk of whom I often told you, and now tell you even weeping, that they are enemies of the cross of Christ”

In Paul’s days he faced this problem, many deceivers had crept into the church, and he warned the people saying that these false leaders were enemies of the cross. He wanted the church to recognize the difference, between a true man of God, and a false teacher or a Prophet, who had no sense of humility. He was concerned for the welfare of the people; if he was here today he would instruct the church the same way.

We are living in a time of great distractions, and our standards in the church are not the same,they keeps us away from the presence of God.

Paul in Phil3:2 say “Beware of the dogs, beware of the evil workers, beware of the false circumcision’

There are three kinds of teachers Paul warned about,

Today’s church has people who are constantly fault finders, people without real faith or love who are always feeding upon others life. Paul’s warning would be true today to say “Beware of those who whisper  sarcasms to you, who are continually discovering what is wrong with others” If you listen to them, their words will rob you of vision, leave you with out joy, and drain you of your energy.

Then there are those who cannot accept God’s promise of a glorified church at the end times. The word unity really frightens them, so for the end time church to be glorified was an apostolic view point.

Paul also said beware of evil workers, who are harder to discern than the “Dogs” They proclaim Christ from “envy, strife, and self ambition rather than out of love, Also be aware of those who preach to build their own Kingdom, and who ministries are motivated by ambition. James 3:16”For where jealousy and selfish ambition exist, there is disorder and envy, evil thing “In our church worldwide this has been a serious problem. I pray that God will help us to preach Christ purely from our hearts.

The next think asked us to be aware of was the “false Circumcision” These were Jewish Christians who, when they were saved tried to make Christianity an extension of Judaism. They wanted people to be bound by the law, they were full of  legalism.

In Phil 3:3 Paul’s says “For we are the true circumcision, who worship in the spirit of God and glory in Christ Jesus and put no confidence in the flesh” Paul says all things that his flesh could boast of was crucified in Christ, He said that truth was in knowing Jesus, we do not keep the law, we keep Jesus. Without violating the spirit of the law, if we have Jesus, we will go beyond the righteousness of the law, because have the righteousness in us.

That’s why many have said it is hard to follow Jesus, but if they will get a mind set as Paul who said “All things to be loss in view of the surpassing value of knowing Christ Jesus my Lord”

Everything Paul was in the flesh was considered waste in order that he might gain Christ. Christ  is more than  a law giver, He was love giver, Faith giver, Power giver, and healing giver. Paul was more interested in knowing Him and the power of His Resurrection, what is the sense of know Christ and miss out on His power,

The Knowledge of Christ’s power is accessible only threw identifying in His death, resurrection is attained threw crucifixion. No one can enter in to the fullness of Christ without carrying the cross to get there. Our greatest enemy is self, which are hearts are full of, and that denies Christ entrance into our heart. Without carry our cross self becomes our God. Paul surrender totally to the Lord, gave up self, his will, and embarrassed the Cross.

Paul hungered to know Christ’s suffering and His resurrection, see hunger to know Jesus is part of the pattern of a true Christian. Many today cannot walk forward with Christ because they don’t let go of the past, but Paul said “forgetting what lies behind and reaching forward to what lies ahead, I press on forward the goal for the prize of the upward call of God in Christ Jesus” Paul was willing to forget, so must we. The prize in true Christianity is to attain the glory of God, To obtain that prize is worth letting go of everything else. Don’t let passivity keep you blinded to your goal, your prize, and the upward of call of God into which Paul himself was pressing.

Many will come to you and go over your life, as you are seeking guidance, remember Paul’s  warning Never follow anyone who is not himself pressing towards the prize of Christ Jesus. In the world today there are many deceptions and seductions, let us be aware of those, always ,flee from evil workers who are full of envy and ambition, let us not yield to the legalisms, who put a standard of righteousness before you other then Christ. Let us run towards becoming more like Christ. Like Paul, press towards the glorious prize, which is Christ Jesus.