Scripture
Therefore, my dear brothers and sisters, stay true to the Lord. I love you and long to see you, dear friends, for you are my joy and the crown I receive for my work.

Observation
Paul encourages his readers to pattern their lives after his own life. Sadly, there are people who claim to be christians but their lives show that they are actually enemies of the cross of Christ. They think only of things of this world and not of eternal values.

We are citizens of heaven, eagerly awaiting Christ's return. He will take our weak mortal bodies and change them into glorious bodies suited for eternity. So we must stay true to our Lord.

Application
In this passage Paul encourages us to look at the big picture. We have been lifted out of the kingdom of darkness and adopted into the kingdom of Christ. Therefore we must live as children of the light and not like children of the darkness. We need to look beyond the here and now and start living lives that glorify God.

Paul has harsh words for people who just live for the fleshly desires. He doesn't just say they are weak or misguided. In fact they are enemies of the cross of Christ.

If we are not setting our hearts and minds on Christ and living lives that exemplify that then we are enemies of Christ. A very scary thought.

Prayer
Lord Jesus continue to work in me. Help me to change to be more like you. May I be a good example of what it means to follow you. Amen.