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The War for the Soul of the Church
The false apostles in Paul’s day wanted to be regarded as genuine apostles like him (2 Corinthians 11:12). The problem was that all human effort to become something that only the grace of God could produce would be totally futile. Only the Lord could make a true apostle, a true prophet, a true man or woman of God. Here was the root of their deception.
For such are false apostles, deceitful workers, transforming themselves (Greek, METASCHEMATIZO) into apostles of Christ.
The Greek word METASCHEMATIZO has to do with changing the form of something without changing its essence. It was not just that these ministers were disguising themselves to look like true apostles; they really believed they were authentic. The issue was that they fashioned themselves into what they thought they should look like.
But only God can fashion someone into His likeness. Indeed, He is the Master Potter in His kingdom. Idolatry occurs when finite humans fashion anything to reveal God. To bring forth what is limited and then say that it accurately reflects the Eternal One is to actually misrepresent and then draw attention away from Him.
It has been said that what people have done for God will last. But it is what He has done that will endure–whether in us, through us, or apart from us. Some have with great effort built Christian organizations and then called others to submit to what they have constructed. But to the degree that their work reflects human strength and organizing ability, they have introduced into God’s kingdom something that can actually draw away from the Lord the attention, the time, and the focus that belongs to Him.
How much more humbling it is to have to submit to His hand as He in His own timing works in us and among us what is pleasing in His sight. But to be clear, it is only what He builds that the gates of Hell will fail to overcome. Everything else, even those works done in His name will be vulnerable.
The root of all the evil in God’s creation can be traced back to the one whose strategy the false apostles emulated.
For Satan himself transforms himself (Greek, METASCHEMATIZO) into an angel of light.
Instead of submitting to God’s design, the enemy had decided for himself both what he wanted to be and then how to achieve those ends (Isaiah 14:12 - 14). But Heaven’s righteous judgment rightly falls on all who choose this path. Successful living is not defined by the effective pursuit of one’s goals, but by the pursuit of the One whose goals for us are good, acceptable, and perfect.
Humility acknowledges and receives Heaven’s unfolding purpose as God brings it forth on Earth; pride seeks to put its own stamp on all of life including the works of God. This is why Satan’s ministers speak of an achievable righteousness. Since they transform themselves into ministers of righteousness (2 Corinthians 11:15), to them a holy life is to be attained rather than a cause for thankful worship unto the God of grace who transforms the fallen who continually present themselves to Him.
Our conclusion can only be that legalism (human efforts to make oneself and others more holy) will always be one ever–present mark of false ministry. And because pride lies at the root of legalism, thankful worship will always wither in such an atmosphere.
As a result, those who minister will do so with an attitude of competition. After all, if spiritual “success” is based on their strength, then their reputation is at stake; their names are on the line. They must do better than others. But all of history revolves not around the exaltation of certain individual’s names, but around the glory of God’s name. Paul was clear concerning such competitive thinking.
For we dare not class ourselves or compare ourselves with those who commend themselves. But they, measuring themselves by themselves, and comparing themselves among themselves, are not wise.
Those who compete successfully will think of themselves boastfully; those less successful will feel condemned. But those who fix their eyes on Christ will humble themselves as they behold both His perfection and their sinfulness. To these God will give grace to overcome. And as they see their lives begin to change, they will worship Him with thankful hearts.
In seeking to get the Corinthians’ attention, Paul began to boast about his own life and ministry, being quite clear that such talk was not according to how the Lord speaks (2 Corinthians 11:17). While the false ministers were Jewish, Paul was as well (2 Corinthians 11:22). Were they Hebrew (i.e., raised speaking the Hebrew language, not simply the Greek used by the Hellenistic Jews)? So was he. And if they thought they were ministers of Christ, well he was more so. What comparative, competitive, and foolish speaking!
To prove his point that he was a greater servant of Christ than his detractors, the apostle went on to speak of his many trials of persecution, beatings, imprisonments, and perils at the hands of others. He mentioned his many times of fasting and of losing sleep because of his concern for others. He even revealed how in weakness he had to flee arrest in Damascus by being lowered over the city wall in a basket. How shameful. Imagine – having to flee a city hidden in a laundry hamper. How he had suffered! How he had humbled himself!
Continuing to boast, Paul began to speak of himself as though he were someone else who had been caught up to the third heaven and heard inexpressible things unlawful to utter (2 Corinthians 12:1 - 4). How many times have you heard someone speak of amazing spiritual experiences (of visions, revelations, and angelic appearances) leaving you thinking how unspiritual you must be? Is it possible you were experiencing in them the spirit of competition and self-promotion? Remember, when Paul referred to his heavenly experience he was speaking foolishly.
To be clear, there is a place for testifying of our personal encounters with the Lord. But when we speak in such a way so as to impress others in order to get them to listen and respond to us, we have erred. Such is spiritual manipulation, plain and simple. While speaking of God and of His glory, we have drawn attention to ourselves. How grievous! But Paul did so on this occasion to expose the enemy’s tactics operative in the false apostles.
If he had wanted to boast among the churches on a regular basis, he could have done so and it would have all been true. But apart from this occasion, he always refused to do so lest people would think more of him than what they themselves could personally encounter in him.
Though if I should wish to boast, I would not be a fool, for I would be speaking the truth. But I refrain from it, so that no one may think more of me than he sees in me or hears from me.
(2 Corinthians 12:6 ESV)
True apostolic ministry is not about detailing past spiritual experiences; its purpose is the present unveiling of Christ.
Just as Jesus revealed the Father in His earthly life and ministry, so also our life message is Jesus Christ unveiled in us by His grace. May others see Him in us and perceive His compassion, His mercy, and His hatred of sin. And may they be drawn to Him. May He then cause an abiding and increasing hunger to know Him in their hearts, for such is the meaning of eternal life (John 17:3).
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