In the last post, we talked about the failure of charisma as an accurate indicator of character for a pastor. And yet historically the people of God have been swayed by those who captivate with their speaking ability, demand allegiance, and ridicule those who do not operate as they do. Paul the apostle had to constantly deal with these type of issues as he established churches throughout the Roman world.
In planting the church at Corinth, people entered in that constantly questioned Paul's credentials, authority and his right to address the Corinthian church. Men had risen up in the midst who openly challenged Paul, particularly by contrasting Paul's speech, manner of living, and humble disposition with their own authoritarian style of leadership. Paul made some amazing statements: he used his authority to build up, not tear down (2 Cor 10:8); he did not preach himself but Christ Jesus and themselves as the servants of the Corinthians (2 Cor 4:5); he refused to take any money from the Corinthians so that they would have a clear example of love in action (2 Cor 11:7-9); and so on.
But Paul makes two significant statements that are at the heart of the matter at hand. The first statement that he makes is what led me to write this blog. Satan, as opposed to appearing as a red-tailed devil, appears as an ANGEL OF LIGHT. His servants disguise themselves not as devil worshipers but as SERVANTS OF RIGHTEOUSNESS.
" But I will continue doing what I have always done. This will undercut those who are looking for an opportunity to boast that their work is just like ours. 13 These people are false apostles. They are deceitful workers who disguise themselves as apostles of Christ. 14But I am not surprised! Even Satan disguises himself as an angel of light. 15 So it is no wonder that his servants also disguise themselves as servants of righteousness. In the end they will get the punishment their wicked deeds deserve. " 2 Cor 11: 12-15
Paul said that those men that were opposing his ministry were in fact false apostles. False. Not true. Not real. Fakes. I just recently saw X-Men First Class. They had a character in the movie called Diablo who had the stereotypical devil look. Although Satan is referred to as a serpent and a fallen angel, we do not have a description of his appearance as the red-tailed devil. Likewise, we have bought into false images of what Satan or his followers would actually look like and behave like. Unrighteousness is equal to self-righteousness (as in other-than-Jesus righteousness) in its heinousness and ungodliness.
I have considered the behavior of some ministers and of their respective ministries and I have drawn two conclusions. Either they are ministers who have gone way off track, or they are imitations of the true servants of God. Satan's servants who are disguised as servants of righteousness. A bold statement but how else can you explain lavish lifestyles contrary to the teaching and example of Jesus Christ? How can you explain churches being operated as businesses with CEOs' functioning with unchallenged authority and unlimited access to church finances? How can you explain ministers and ministries that lie with impunity, justify questionable behavior, and quietly ruin lives while giving off the aura and air of righteousness?
It is time to rise up and question questionable behavior. It is time to realize that Jesus came to set us free from being slaves to sin, and free from religious bondage. 1 Timothy tells us that there is one God, and one mediator between God and man, the man Christ Jesus. Nowhere does it say in the Bible that the pastor hears from God for the people and communicates the message to the people. That would make him or her the mediator and contradict the fact that every believer has equal access to God through Jesus Christ. It is a horrible thought that someone that preaches the word of God with power may by their actions actually oppose Jesus Christ. But the scripture warns of this reality through and through. So why do we put up with it? We will explore that in part 3 with Paul and the Corinthian church.
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