By Femi Aribisala
It is ridiculous to insist, as some Christians do, that Paul’s word is the word of God when Paul himself contradicts this.
No other person in the bible writes like Paul. Far more than everybody else, Paul talks about himself. He is always drawing attention to himself. His epistles are littered with “I,” “me,” “my” and “mine.”
In Romans, Paul refers to himself 103 times. In 1 Corinthians, he refers to himself 175 times. In 2 Corinthians, he refers to himself 103 times. In Galatians, which is one of his shorter books, he refers to himself 69 times! Clearly, Paul is just as concerned about telling us about himself as he is about telling us about God.
Jesus says: “If I bear witness of myself, my witness is not true.” (John 5:31). Virtually all of Paul’s credentials are his witness of himself. This is a tell-tale sign that his word is not the word of God. If God wants to talk about Paul, he would get others to do so.
All about Paul
With Paul, the gospel is not just the gospel: it is Paul’s gospel. (Romans 2:16). God is not our God: he is Paul’s God. (Philippians 4:19). We are not just God’s beloved, we are Paul’s beloved. (1 Corinthians 10:14). We are not just God’s children: we are Paul’s children. (Galatians 4:19). It is not just about Christ’s sufferings: it is about Paul’s sufferings. (Colossians 1:24). It is not just about Christ’s doctrine: it is about Paul’s doctrine. (2 Timothy 3:10). Here is a man so totally consumed with himself that he even blatantly appropriates the things of God. The words of such a man must not be confused with the word of God.
Paul says: “Those in Asia have turned away from me.” (2 Timothy 1:15). But the question is: have they turned away from the Lord? Paul also says: “The things which you learned and received and heard and saw in me, these do, and the God of peace will be with you.” (Philippians 4:9). This can never be the word of God because Jesus, and not Paul, is God’s standard.
It is ridiculous to insist, as some Christians do, that Paul’s word is the word of God when Paul himself contradicts this. Paul says to the Corinthians: “I speak not by commandment ... and herein I give my advice.” (2 Corinthians 8:8-10). Paul's "advice" may or may not be sound, but it certainly is Paul’s and not God’s. Indeed, Paul sometimes makes a distinction between the Lord’s commands and his own commands. He says: “Unto the married I command, yet not I, but the Lord .., but the rest is from me, not from the Lord.” (1 Corinthians 7:10-12). Therefore, Paul’s commands are not commandments of God.
If Paul’s word is the word of God, it would not be necessary for Paul himself to flag us when he claims to be speaking the word of God. For example, Paul says: “We can tell you this from the Lord’s own teaching...” (1 Thessalonians 4:15). This is not the Lord speaking but somebody speaking about the Lord. If Paul’s word is the word of God, it would be totally ludicrous for him to say: “The God and Father of our Lord Jesus Christ, who is blessed forever, knows that I am not lying.” (2 Corinthians 11:31). This is the statement of a man given to speaking his own words, whose words have been questioned.
Self-opinionated Paul
Who is speaking here: “I also want women to dress modestly, with decency and propriety, not with braided hair or gold or pearls or expensive clothes.” (1 Timothy 2:9). Is it Paul or is it God? There really should be no argument about this because Paul himself admits it is his word. This would explain why Christian women ignore it and continue to braid their hair, and wear jewelry and expensive clothes.
Paul is very self-opinionated. For example, he says in his conceit: “Now concerning virgins I have no commandment of the Lord: but I give my own opinion.” (1 Corinthians 7:25). If Paul has no commandments from the Lord on a subject, it is best for him to keep quiet. Are we now to conclude that his opinion is also the word of God? Certainly not! As observed, even Jesus never once offered his own opinion. Neither did he ever speak his own words. (John 12:49-50).
Paul’s pride often gets the better of him, leading him to say things he himself admits he should not say. For example, Paul says: “Since many are boasting in the way the world does, I too will boast.” (2 Corinthians 11:18). He then boasts about his pedigree and declares himself the best of all Christians. Can we then still insist that even Paul’s foolish boasting is the word of God? Certainly not! Elsewhere the same Paul admonishes us: “What, then, can we boast about? Nothing!” (Romans 3:27).
Pagan plagiarism
Paul cannot be speaking the word of God when his word is littered with plagiarised quotations of pagan writers. The man who hardly ever quotes Jesus is in the habit of quoting pagan writers; including Hippolytus, Aratus and Menander; men who extolled the idol god “Zeus.” When Paul says: “We are his offspring,” (Acts 17:28), he is not speaking the word of God. He is quoting the Greek poet Aratus’ “Phaenomena.” When Paul says: “God is not far from each one of us for in him we live and move and have our being,” (Acts 17:27-28); he is not speaking the word of God. He is plagiarising the Cretan seer, Epimenides. When Paul says: “Cretans are always liars, evil brutes, lazy gluttons,” (Titus 1:12); he is not speaking the word of God. He is here again quoting Epimenides.
When Paul says: “Bad company corrupts good manners,” (1 Corinthians 15:33); he is not speaking the word of God. He is plagiarising the Greek dramatist Menander’s “Thais.” When Paul says: “The good that I would I do not; but the evil which I would not do, that I do” (Romans 7:19); he is not speaking the word of God. He is plagiarising Hippolytus. When Paul says: “If any widow has children or nephews, let them learn first to show piety at home” (1 Timothy 5:4); he is not speaking the word of God. He is plagiarising the Roman playwright Terence. When Paul says: “Work out your own salvation with fear and trembling” (Philippians 2:12); he is not speaking the word of God. He is plagiarising the Mahaparinibbana Suta Buddhist scriptures.
Time-bound words
Jesus says: “Heaven and earth will pass away, but my words will by no means pass away.” (Matthew 24:35). This shows that the words of Jesus are the words of God because they are from everlasting to everlasting. But many of the words of Paul have passed away. Christians don’t subscribe to them anymore.
Paul says: “Let your women keep silent in the churches, for they are not permitted to speak.” (1 Corinthians 14:34). If this injunction is the word of God, why is it that virtually no church in the world today obeys it? Women don’t keep silent in the churches. Therefore, this word of Paul has passed away. It was never the word of God. It was, and will always be, the word of Paul.
Showing posts with label Article of Faith. Show all posts
Showing posts with label Article of Faith. Show all posts
Saturday, 31 August 2013
Saturday, 27 July 2013
Christians Indeed!
By Femi Aribisala
How does reckless driving testify to the lordship of Jesus Christ?
Jimmy Peters was on his way back to Lagos from a wedding in Benin City. Suddenly, the road ahead was blocked. Before he could say “Jack Robinson,” some armed men sprang out of the bushes. Instinctively, Jimmy’s wife hid their baby on the floor of the backseat of the car; quickly throwing a cloth over him.
The armed robbers were professional and clinical. They rapidly stripped them of their money and valuables. They hit the jackpot when they found thirty-five thousand naira in the boot of the car. But just as they were about to leave, the thing Jimmy’s wife feared happened. The baby cried out; not surprising, since he was practically smothered by the cloth thrown over him. One of the armed robbers stopped in his tracks. “There’s a baby, there’s a baby,” he exclaimed. He removed the cloth for confirmation. There indeed was the baby, cooing away, totally oblivious to the tension in the air.
The armed robber was very angry. He turned to the mother; scowling. “You people are very strange,” he said. “Do you think I would hurt a baby?” Then he went further: “I want you to know that I am a Christian, so I would never hurt a little baby like this.” To demonstrate this beyond reasonable doubt, he decided to give the baby twenty naira out of the thirty-five thousand he had stolen from the parents.
Sunday-Sunday Christians
This story is not fiction. It actually happened; and it serves to underscore the widespread confusion that now exists among those of us who call ourselves Christians. Christians are now a motley group of very strange bedfellows. It would appear that virtually anybody can claim to be a Christian without fear of contradiction. But who exactly is a Christian?
Today, Christians are often identified by church affiliation. We are people who go to church on Sundays. We are people who “read their bible and pray every day.” We are people who pay tithes. We have a tendency to quote the scriptures. We like to pepper our speech with “hallelujahs” and “praise the Lord.”
But we are also people who fail to show compassion when it is required. We are people who despise Moslems and people of other faiths. We are people with deep hatred for homosexuals. We are people who insist on retributive justice, even to the point of going to war. We are those who go to church on Sundays but also beat our wives on Mondays. We are those who pray down the rain but also use our tongue to lie, deceive, insult, abuse and curse. Of such is not the kingdom of God.
Some church workers came to a high-rise building to ask for “Sister Mary.” But nobody seemed to know her. “What does she look like?” the residents asked. The visitors gave an elaborate description of her, from her favourite hairstyle to her preferred manner of dressing. “That sounds like Mary Ikejiani,” somebody replied. “Is it Mary Ikejiani you are looking for?” “Yes,” replied the visitors. “We have it on good authority she lives in this building.” “Why didn’t you say that in the first place?” the residents chorused. “Instead, you asked for ‘Sister Mary.’ Do you mean to tell us Mary is a Christian?”
Mary was a Sunday-Sunday Christian. At church, she was the epitome of holiness and virtue. But at home, she could not continue the lie. Had the people asked after “Quarrelsome Mary,” instead of “Sister Mary,” there would have been no difficulty in identifying her.
Christian hypocrisy
Jesus asked his disciples: “Who do men say that I am?” Let us turn the question around. Who do men say Christians are? Are we known by virtues or by vices? Does the designation, “Christian,” denote someone of sound character who is honest, godly and peace-loving? The truth is it does not.
When Jesus sees Nathanael coming down the road, he says about him: “Behold, an Israelite indeed, in whom is no deceit.” Jesus refers to Nathanael as a real Israelite, thereby differentiating him from Jacob; the man to whom God first gave the name Israel. Jacob, of course, was a liar and a cheat. But Jesus identifies in Nathanael that the real Israelite (or Christian) is a man of proven integrity.
If Nathanael is a real Israelite then there are fake Israelites. If Nathanael is a true Christian then there are fake Christians. Indeed, many professing Christians are much more dishonest and deceitful than the average unbeliever. We seem to forget that people are supposed to be drawn to Christ because of what they see of him in us.
A lady asked me to pray for her. When I asked what her petition was, she said she was the Chairperson of the Armed Forces Officers’ Wives at a particular military cantonment. Her colleagues kept a certain amount of money with her for safe-keeping, but it now appeared she had misplaced the money.
“What happened to the money?” I asked her. “I tampered with it,” she said. “What does that mean?” She said: “I spent the money. I didn’t know they would want it back so soon.” “So what do you want me to do now?” “I want you to pray that God should have mercy on me,” she replied. But what about the money with which she was entrusted?
Disciples of Christ are called to follow his example. Why then do Christians steal, cheat, fight, lie, fornicate and commit adultery? Surely we know that the kingdom of God is only for those who stand in the righteousness of Christ.
Foolish faith
Have you ever had the experience where a man literally drives you off the road and, as he speeds away, you see the inscription on his windscreen declaring: “Jesus is Lord?” How does reckless driving testify to the lordship of Jesus Christ?
Some cars were waiting at a railway intersection because a red light indicated a train was approaching. But one driver felt all the others were daft. He was convinced he could quickly cross over before the train arrived. So rather than wait on the queue with others, he decided to drive across quickly at top speed.
Onlookers shouted at him to stop, warning him of the danger in his line of action. But he ignored them, accelerating all the more. At the last minute, he suddenly saw the train. It was much closer than he had anticipated, but it was now too late to slam on the brakes. If he did, he would be crushed for sure. So he had no choice but to continue on his suicidal path.
Somehow he managed to get across unscathed. But just as he was about to breathe a sigh of relief, the train hit his back bumper and sent him on a tailspin. His car went through several somersaults but finally ended right side up. Dazed but uninjured, the man opened the door and came out of the car. “Thank you, Jesus. Thank you, Jesus,” he cried.
But was it Jesus who told him to take such an idiotic risk? Was it Jesus who led him to presume all other drivers were daft but he alone was smart?
How does reckless driving testify to the lordship of Jesus Christ?
Jimmy Peters was on his way back to Lagos from a wedding in Benin City. Suddenly, the road ahead was blocked. Before he could say “Jack Robinson,” some armed men sprang out of the bushes. Instinctively, Jimmy’s wife hid their baby on the floor of the backseat of the car; quickly throwing a cloth over him.
The armed robbers were professional and clinical. They rapidly stripped them of their money and valuables. They hit the jackpot when they found thirty-five thousand naira in the boot of the car. But just as they were about to leave, the thing Jimmy’s wife feared happened. The baby cried out; not surprising, since he was practically smothered by the cloth thrown over him. One of the armed robbers stopped in his tracks. “There’s a baby, there’s a baby,” he exclaimed. He removed the cloth for confirmation. There indeed was the baby, cooing away, totally oblivious to the tension in the air.
The armed robber was very angry. He turned to the mother; scowling. “You people are very strange,” he said. “Do you think I would hurt a baby?” Then he went further: “I want you to know that I am a Christian, so I would never hurt a little baby like this.” To demonstrate this beyond reasonable doubt, he decided to give the baby twenty naira out of the thirty-five thousand he had stolen from the parents.
Sunday-Sunday Christians
This story is not fiction. It actually happened; and it serves to underscore the widespread confusion that now exists among those of us who call ourselves Christians. Christians are now a motley group of very strange bedfellows. It would appear that virtually anybody can claim to be a Christian without fear of contradiction. But who exactly is a Christian?
Today, Christians are often identified by church affiliation. We are people who go to church on Sundays. We are people who “read their bible and pray every day.” We are people who pay tithes. We have a tendency to quote the scriptures. We like to pepper our speech with “hallelujahs” and “praise the Lord.”
But we are also people who fail to show compassion when it is required. We are people who despise Moslems and people of other faiths. We are people with deep hatred for homosexuals. We are people who insist on retributive justice, even to the point of going to war. We are those who go to church on Sundays but also beat our wives on Mondays. We are those who pray down the rain but also use our tongue to lie, deceive, insult, abuse and curse. Of such is not the kingdom of God.
Some church workers came to a high-rise building to ask for “Sister Mary.” But nobody seemed to know her. “What does she look like?” the residents asked. The visitors gave an elaborate description of her, from her favourite hairstyle to her preferred manner of dressing. “That sounds like Mary Ikejiani,” somebody replied. “Is it Mary Ikejiani you are looking for?” “Yes,” replied the visitors. “We have it on good authority she lives in this building.” “Why didn’t you say that in the first place?” the residents chorused. “Instead, you asked for ‘Sister Mary.’ Do you mean to tell us Mary is a Christian?”
Mary was a Sunday-Sunday Christian. At church, she was the epitome of holiness and virtue. But at home, she could not continue the lie. Had the people asked after “Quarrelsome Mary,” instead of “Sister Mary,” there would have been no difficulty in identifying her.
Christian hypocrisy
Jesus asked his disciples: “Who do men say that I am?” Let us turn the question around. Who do men say Christians are? Are we known by virtues or by vices? Does the designation, “Christian,” denote someone of sound character who is honest, godly and peace-loving? The truth is it does not.
When Jesus sees Nathanael coming down the road, he says about him: “Behold, an Israelite indeed, in whom is no deceit.” Jesus refers to Nathanael as a real Israelite, thereby differentiating him from Jacob; the man to whom God first gave the name Israel. Jacob, of course, was a liar and a cheat. But Jesus identifies in Nathanael that the real Israelite (or Christian) is a man of proven integrity.
If Nathanael is a real Israelite then there are fake Israelites. If Nathanael is a true Christian then there are fake Christians. Indeed, many professing Christians are much more dishonest and deceitful than the average unbeliever. We seem to forget that people are supposed to be drawn to Christ because of what they see of him in us.
A lady asked me to pray for her. When I asked what her petition was, she said she was the Chairperson of the Armed Forces Officers’ Wives at a particular military cantonment. Her colleagues kept a certain amount of money with her for safe-keeping, but it now appeared she had misplaced the money.
“What happened to the money?” I asked her. “I tampered with it,” she said. “What does that mean?” She said: “I spent the money. I didn’t know they would want it back so soon.” “So what do you want me to do now?” “I want you to pray that God should have mercy on me,” she replied. But what about the money with which she was entrusted?
Disciples of Christ are called to follow his example. Why then do Christians steal, cheat, fight, lie, fornicate and commit adultery? Surely we know that the kingdom of God is only for those who stand in the righteousness of Christ.
Foolish faith
Have you ever had the experience where a man literally drives you off the road and, as he speeds away, you see the inscription on his windscreen declaring: “Jesus is Lord?” How does reckless driving testify to the lordship of Jesus Christ?
Some cars were waiting at a railway intersection because a red light indicated a train was approaching. But one driver felt all the others were daft. He was convinced he could quickly cross over before the train arrived. So rather than wait on the queue with others, he decided to drive across quickly at top speed.
Onlookers shouted at him to stop, warning him of the danger in his line of action. But he ignored them, accelerating all the more. At the last minute, he suddenly saw the train. It was much closer than he had anticipated, but it was now too late to slam on the brakes. If he did, he would be crushed for sure. So he had no choice but to continue on his suicidal path.
Somehow he managed to get across unscathed. But just as he was about to breathe a sigh of relief, the train hit his back bumper and sent him on a tailspin. His car went through several somersaults but finally ended right side up. Dazed but uninjured, the man opened the door and came out of the car. “Thank you, Jesus. Thank you, Jesus,” he cried.
But was it Jesus who told him to take such an idiotic risk? Was it Jesus who led him to presume all other drivers were daft but he alone was smart?
Saturday, 20 July 2013
Love Breaks The Rules
By Femi Aribisala
A true believer only does things because it is the love thing to do.
In spite of several subtle nudging from the Lord about her deplorable condition, I refused to give Bolaji Ogundimu a housing loan. My position was that several others applied before her. So the Lord decided to set me up. I needed to catch a plane out of New York. By the time it was my turn, the counter was closed. Then the Lord said to me: “So Femi, how do you expect to get on this plane?” I finally saw the light and plea-bargained: “Only your love, Daddy; only your love can get me on this plane.”
On many occasions, Jesus broke the rules out of love. He could not help himself; he had to respond in love. When his mother told him at the wedding in Cana that they had run out of wine, he observed that it was not yet the time for miracles. Jesus was following God’s timing. But suddenly man's needs preceded God's timing.
The wedding hosts knew nothing about God’s timing. Had they known, they might have scheduled the wedding for a later date. But the love of God could not but respond to human need. Accordingly, Jesus was often moved by compassion. Some of his most astounding miracles came as a response to human need. He multiplied loaves and fed the multitude because he was moved with compassion for people who had been without food for three days. And so at the wedding in Cana of Galilee, Jesus was compelled to turn water into wine. He did this out of season because he was moved by love.
Love overrules
The Greek woman who prayed to Jesus for the healing of her daughter did not understand the times and the seasons. She was not a Daniel. She was not a bible scholar. She was not even a Christian. All she knew was that her daughter was sick. Therefore, she came and asked for the right thing but at the wrong time. She asked for the healing of a Gentile when it was still the time of the Jews. She came to ask the Lord for food when the children of the kingdom had yet to eat. Jesus told her to wait. “Let the children finish eating first.” But love does not wait. Her daughter jumped the queue and was healed.
Jesus tried to explain God’s love to hate-filled Jews. He asked them: “Have you never read what David did when he was in need and hungry, he and those with him: how he went into the house of God in the days of Abiathar the high priest, and ate the showbread, which is not lawful to eat, except for the priests, and also gave some to those who were with him?” (Mark 2:25-26). The love of God says David’s “illegal” act was excusable because he was in need and hungry. God responded to David not legally, but lovingly. The mercy of God rejoiced over the judgment of God in David’s case. But do we react the same way today as Christians?
Ambulances drive “illegally” on the wrong side of the road because they respond to emergencies. If we insist that they keep to road safety rules, it can only be because the love of God is not in us. Similarly, if we insist that people must wear certain types of clothing before they can come to church, then the love of God is not in us. If keeping rules and regulations is more important to us than loving our neighbour, it is because we do not yet understand the love of God.
Acceptable motive
Loving our neighbour is more important than doing our duty. The widow of Zarephath gave her last meal to the prophet and God blessed her. Rahab lied to preserve the lives of the Hebrew spies in Jericho and God honoured her. These examples showed love in action. But it is significant that these expressions of love did not come from Jews. They came from those outside of the church. They came from those who were not bound by religion. They came from those who did not know the right thing to do but who understood the love thing to do.
Is it legal to drive on the wrong side of the road? Why do you drive on the right side of the road? Do you pay tithes because it is the right thing to do? Do you give offerings because it is the right thing to do? A true believer does not do things merely because it is right or legal. A true believer does things because it is the love thing to do. The only valid reason acceptable in God for doing anything is the love of God. Jesus says: "If you love me, keep my commandments." (John 14:15). In which case the only reason why he wants us to keep his commandments is because we love him. And the only commandment Jesus has given us is that we love God and love our neighbour as he loves us.
So we must not allow any bad shepherd (or pastor) to intimidate us into paying tithes by telling us we would be cursed if we do not do so. We are not to do things because we are afraid of curses, or fear the windows of heaven will be shut against us. All our actions must arise from the love of God and the love of our neighbours.
Loving kingdom
The Pharisees came to Jesus and asked him: "Is it legal for a man to divorce his wife?" The question itself is based on wrong premises. God is not legalistic. The kingdom of God is not a legalistic kingdom. It is a loving kingdom. Who cares whether it is legal or not! If it is legal for people to kill Jews, should we do so because it is the legal thing to do?
The question should have been: "Is it loving for a man to divorce his wife?" "Does the divorce of one's wife show the love of God?" Couched in this manner, the question would have been unnecessary. Clearly, divorce does not show love but hate. God hates adultery not because it is illegal, but because it is about hatred. Adultery represents hatred and disregard for one’s spouse.
Let me tell you a parable. When Nabal married Abigail, he gave her a list of do’s and don’ts. It was so extensive, it was impossible to fulfil. No matter how hard she tried, he would always find fault that she forgot to do something, or forgot to say something, or did something in a way different from the exact way he wanted it done. He wanted his rice cooked in a particular way. His meat had to be boiled in a particular way. His shirt must be ironed in one way or you won’t hear the last of it.
Thank God, Nabal died prematurely. Thereafter, Abigail became David’s wife. After the marriage, she dutifully asked David for his own list of do’s and don’ts. But David said he had none. “I just love you,” he said. “There are no laws, no rules, no regulations, and no guidelines. Just love.”
Of such is the kingdom of God.
A true believer only does things because it is the love thing to do.
In spite of several subtle nudging from the Lord about her deplorable condition, I refused to give Bolaji Ogundimu a housing loan. My position was that several others applied before her. So the Lord decided to set me up. I needed to catch a plane out of New York. By the time it was my turn, the counter was closed. Then the Lord said to me: “So Femi, how do you expect to get on this plane?” I finally saw the light and plea-bargained: “Only your love, Daddy; only your love can get me on this plane.”
On many occasions, Jesus broke the rules out of love. He could not help himself; he had to respond in love. When his mother told him at the wedding in Cana that they had run out of wine, he observed that it was not yet the time for miracles. Jesus was following God’s timing. But suddenly man's needs preceded God's timing.
The wedding hosts knew nothing about God’s timing. Had they known, they might have scheduled the wedding for a later date. But the love of God could not but respond to human need. Accordingly, Jesus was often moved by compassion. Some of his most astounding miracles came as a response to human need. He multiplied loaves and fed the multitude because he was moved with compassion for people who had been without food for three days. And so at the wedding in Cana of Galilee, Jesus was compelled to turn water into wine. He did this out of season because he was moved by love.
Love overrules
The Greek woman who prayed to Jesus for the healing of her daughter did not understand the times and the seasons. She was not a Daniel. She was not a bible scholar. She was not even a Christian. All she knew was that her daughter was sick. Therefore, she came and asked for the right thing but at the wrong time. She asked for the healing of a Gentile when it was still the time of the Jews. She came to ask the Lord for food when the children of the kingdom had yet to eat. Jesus told her to wait. “Let the children finish eating first.” But love does not wait. Her daughter jumped the queue and was healed.
Jesus tried to explain God’s love to hate-filled Jews. He asked them: “Have you never read what David did when he was in need and hungry, he and those with him: how he went into the house of God in the days of Abiathar the high priest, and ate the showbread, which is not lawful to eat, except for the priests, and also gave some to those who were with him?” (Mark 2:25-26). The love of God says David’s “illegal” act was excusable because he was in need and hungry. God responded to David not legally, but lovingly. The mercy of God rejoiced over the judgment of God in David’s case. But do we react the same way today as Christians?
Ambulances drive “illegally” on the wrong side of the road because they respond to emergencies. If we insist that they keep to road safety rules, it can only be because the love of God is not in us. Similarly, if we insist that people must wear certain types of clothing before they can come to church, then the love of God is not in us. If keeping rules and regulations is more important to us than loving our neighbour, it is because we do not yet understand the love of God.
Acceptable motive
Loving our neighbour is more important than doing our duty. The widow of Zarephath gave her last meal to the prophet and God blessed her. Rahab lied to preserve the lives of the Hebrew spies in Jericho and God honoured her. These examples showed love in action. But it is significant that these expressions of love did not come from Jews. They came from those outside of the church. They came from those who were not bound by religion. They came from those who did not know the right thing to do but who understood the love thing to do.
Is it legal to drive on the wrong side of the road? Why do you drive on the right side of the road? Do you pay tithes because it is the right thing to do? Do you give offerings because it is the right thing to do? A true believer does not do things merely because it is right or legal. A true believer does things because it is the love thing to do. The only valid reason acceptable in God for doing anything is the love of God. Jesus says: "If you love me, keep my commandments." (John 14:15). In which case the only reason why he wants us to keep his commandments is because we love him. And the only commandment Jesus has given us is that we love God and love our neighbour as he loves us.
So we must not allow any bad shepherd (or pastor) to intimidate us into paying tithes by telling us we would be cursed if we do not do so. We are not to do things because we are afraid of curses, or fear the windows of heaven will be shut against us. All our actions must arise from the love of God and the love of our neighbours.
Loving kingdom
The Pharisees came to Jesus and asked him: "Is it legal for a man to divorce his wife?" The question itself is based on wrong premises. God is not legalistic. The kingdom of God is not a legalistic kingdom. It is a loving kingdom. Who cares whether it is legal or not! If it is legal for people to kill Jews, should we do so because it is the legal thing to do?
The question should have been: "Is it loving for a man to divorce his wife?" "Does the divorce of one's wife show the love of God?" Couched in this manner, the question would have been unnecessary. Clearly, divorce does not show love but hate. God hates adultery not because it is illegal, but because it is about hatred. Adultery represents hatred and disregard for one’s spouse.
Let me tell you a parable. When Nabal married Abigail, he gave her a list of do’s and don’ts. It was so extensive, it was impossible to fulfil. No matter how hard she tried, he would always find fault that she forgot to do something, or forgot to say something, or did something in a way different from the exact way he wanted it done. He wanted his rice cooked in a particular way. His meat had to be boiled in a particular way. His shirt must be ironed in one way or you won’t hear the last of it.
Thank God, Nabal died prematurely. Thereafter, Abigail became David’s wife. After the marriage, she dutifully asked David for his own list of do’s and don’ts. But David said he had none. “I just love you,” he said. “There are no laws, no rules, no regulations, and no guidelines. Just love.”
Of such is the kingdom of God.
Saturday, 13 July 2013
Paul's Hope of Righteousness
By Femi Aribisala
Why is it that armed-robbers, pen-robbers, rapists, murderers and all sorts of evil men claim to be Christians?
Have you ever wondered why Christians, supposedly followers of Jesus; the most righteous man that ever lived, are not known for righteousness? On the contrary, Christians organised the Inquisition and burnt thousands of people at the stakes. Christians went on crusades and slaughtered the innocent. Christians killed over six million Jews in Germany. Christians divorce our wives. Priests rape young boys. Pastors devour widows’ houses. Why is it that armed-robbers, pen-robbers, rapists, murderers and all sorts of evil men claim to be Christians?
Unrighteous church
One man is principally responsible for this anomaly; and that man is Paul. Paul’s message permits us to remain sinners as Christians. He entices us with the fallacy that no one is righteous. (Romans 3:10). He ensnares us with the falsehood that God justifies sinners. (Romans 4:5). He says deceptively: “God was in Christ reconciling the world to himself, not imputing their trespasses to them.” (2 Corinthians 5:19). But God can never be reconciled to our trespasses. In short, Paul lulls Christians into erroneously believing we can remain in our trespasses by faith, without losing our salvation.
Jesus’ message, however, is not at all reassuring for Christians who continue in sin. Unlike Paul, Jesus indicates the world will not be reconciled to God. (Matthew 24:3-14/37-44). He maintains categorically a sinner cannot be justified unless he repents: “Those eighteen on whom the tower in Siloam fell and killed them, do you think that they were worse sinners than all other men who dwelt in Jerusalem? I tell you, no; but unless you repent you will all likewise perish.” (Luke 13:4-5).
Paul says those who are in Christ “wait for the hope of righteousness by faith.” (Galatians 5:5). But what does that mean in practical terms? We are not so much waiting for righteousness, which would be pathetic enough; we are waiting for its “hope.” Thereby, Paul puts Christians in a holding pattern, waiting for the righteousness of Jesus to be imparted on us. But when exactly will this righteousness rain down on us? More importantly, what are we while we are waiting? Are we righteous or are we unrighteous?
The fruit is self-evident. In the churches of Paul, “there is none righteous; no not one.” (Romans 3:10).
Hopeless righteousness
The righteousness of Paul is a vain hope; a pie in the sky that has not materialised in 2000 years. Paul says: “The creation waits with eager longing for the revealing of the children of God.” (Romans 8:19). But are we supposed to be children of God now or shall we be his children at some undisclosed future date? Unlike Paul, John is unequivocal: “Beloved, NOW we are children of God.” (1 John 3:2).
Paul says: “We are saved by hope: but hope that is seen is not hope: for what a man seeth, why doth he yet hope for? But if we hope for that we see not, then do we with patience wait for it.” (Romans 8:24-25).
But exactly how can a man be saved by hope? Did God save the Israelites from Egypt by hope, or did he take them out of Egypt? Are we saved from Babylon by hope, or are we to come out of her now? John says: “I heard another voice from heaven saying, ‘Come out of her, my people, lest you share in her sins, and lest you receive of her plagues. (Revelation 18:4).
Blind salvation
Paul says we should hope for what we don’t see. But Jesus himself says we must be able to see the kingdom now. (John 3:3). Simeon declares to God on seeing Jesus: “My eyes have seen your salvation.” (Luke 2:30-32). Furthermore, Jesus teaches that we should not dwell on the future: “Do not worry about tomorrow, for tomorrow will worry about its own things.” (Matthew 6:34). Thus, Jesus was at pains to discourage us from thinking like Paul. Jesus does not offer Paul’s “hope of salvation.” (1 Thessalonians 5:8). He is a present Saviour and not a future Saviour.
When Lazarus died, Jesus assured Martha her brother would live again. Martha agreed but noted that Lazarus’ resurrection would take place “at the last day.” Jesus then corrected her by insisting he was talking about the present. He said: “I am the resurrection and the life. He who believes in me, though he may die, he shall live. And whoever lives and believes in me shall never die. Do you believe this?" (John 11:25-26).
Martha still had difficulty relating to this. She replied: “Yes, Lord, I believe that you are the Christ, the Son of God, who is to come into the world.” (John 11:27). But Martha, he is not to come into the world. He has already come, so he can raise your brother from the dead right now. Lazarus was not given “the hope of resurrection:” he was raised from the dead immediately. Thus, we have this strange but cogent expression of Jesus in scripture: “the hour is coming, and now is.” (John 4:23; 5:25). It means the future is now.
Immediate redemption
Paul’s faith without works is dead. (James 2:20). He maintains erroneously that God imputes righteousness to men apart from their works: “To him who does not work but believes on Him who justifies the ungodly, his faith is accounted for righteousness.” (Romans 4:5). This gives the ungodly a license to sin. If good works do not promote salvation, then bad works cannot promote condemnation. But Jesus says different: “Those who have done good will rise to live, and those who have done evil will rise to be condemned.” (John 5:29).
God’s ways are never imputed. Isaiah observes: “When your judgments are in the earth, the inhabitants of the world will learn righteousness.” (Isaiah 26:9). God’s ways are taught and learnt. Ezekiel says: “The son will not share the guilt of the father, nor will the father share the guilt of the son. The righteousness of the righteous man will be credited to him, and the wickedness of the wicked will be charged against him.” (Ezekiel 18:20). This means the righteousness of Jesus will not be ascribed to Christians.
The notion that if we believe in Jesus we automatically become new creatures is naïve. Two thousand years of Pauline Christianity has shown this to be illusory. Christians are by-and-large unrighteous and we have remained so in spite of our lip-service faith in Jesus. Jeremiah warns: “The harvest is past, the summer is ended, and we are not saved!” (Jeremiah 8:20).
Jesus came to save us from our sins. (Matthew 1:21). Those sins are not in the future, but in the present. Therefore, we must repent now. When Zacchaeus declared a readiness to offer restitution for his ill-gotten gains, Jesus declared: “Today salvation has come to this house.” (Luke 19:9). Zacchaeus did not have to wait foolishly for Paul’s “hope of righteousness.” He took immediate steps and righteousness came to him that very instant.
Jesus did not come to save what will be lost. On the contrary, he declares: “The Son of Man has come to seek and to save that which was lost.” (Luke 19:10). We are already lost. We need to be found immediately. We must walk in righteousness today.
Why is it that armed-robbers, pen-robbers, rapists, murderers and all sorts of evil men claim to be Christians?
Have you ever wondered why Christians, supposedly followers of Jesus; the most righteous man that ever lived, are not known for righteousness? On the contrary, Christians organised the Inquisition and burnt thousands of people at the stakes. Christians went on crusades and slaughtered the innocent. Christians killed over six million Jews in Germany. Christians divorce our wives. Priests rape young boys. Pastors devour widows’ houses. Why is it that armed-robbers, pen-robbers, rapists, murderers and all sorts of evil men claim to be Christians?
Unrighteous church
One man is principally responsible for this anomaly; and that man is Paul. Paul’s message permits us to remain sinners as Christians. He entices us with the fallacy that no one is righteous. (Romans 3:10). He ensnares us with the falsehood that God justifies sinners. (Romans 4:5). He says deceptively: “God was in Christ reconciling the world to himself, not imputing their trespasses to them.” (2 Corinthians 5:19). But God can never be reconciled to our trespasses. In short, Paul lulls Christians into erroneously believing we can remain in our trespasses by faith, without losing our salvation.
Jesus’ message, however, is not at all reassuring for Christians who continue in sin. Unlike Paul, Jesus indicates the world will not be reconciled to God. (Matthew 24:3-14/37-44). He maintains categorically a sinner cannot be justified unless he repents: “Those eighteen on whom the tower in Siloam fell and killed them, do you think that they were worse sinners than all other men who dwelt in Jerusalem? I tell you, no; but unless you repent you will all likewise perish.” (Luke 13:4-5).
Paul says those who are in Christ “wait for the hope of righteousness by faith.” (Galatians 5:5). But what does that mean in practical terms? We are not so much waiting for righteousness, which would be pathetic enough; we are waiting for its “hope.” Thereby, Paul puts Christians in a holding pattern, waiting for the righteousness of Jesus to be imparted on us. But when exactly will this righteousness rain down on us? More importantly, what are we while we are waiting? Are we righteous or are we unrighteous?
The fruit is self-evident. In the churches of Paul, “there is none righteous; no not one.” (Romans 3:10).
Hopeless righteousness
The righteousness of Paul is a vain hope; a pie in the sky that has not materialised in 2000 years. Paul says: “The creation waits with eager longing for the revealing of the children of God.” (Romans 8:19). But are we supposed to be children of God now or shall we be his children at some undisclosed future date? Unlike Paul, John is unequivocal: “Beloved, NOW we are children of God.” (1 John 3:2).
Paul says: “We are saved by hope: but hope that is seen is not hope: for what a man seeth, why doth he yet hope for? But if we hope for that we see not, then do we with patience wait for it.” (Romans 8:24-25).
But exactly how can a man be saved by hope? Did God save the Israelites from Egypt by hope, or did he take them out of Egypt? Are we saved from Babylon by hope, or are we to come out of her now? John says: “I heard another voice from heaven saying, ‘Come out of her, my people, lest you share in her sins, and lest you receive of her plagues. (Revelation 18:4).
Blind salvation
Paul says we should hope for what we don’t see. But Jesus himself says we must be able to see the kingdom now. (John 3:3). Simeon declares to God on seeing Jesus: “My eyes have seen your salvation.” (Luke 2:30-32). Furthermore, Jesus teaches that we should not dwell on the future: “Do not worry about tomorrow, for tomorrow will worry about its own things.” (Matthew 6:34). Thus, Jesus was at pains to discourage us from thinking like Paul. Jesus does not offer Paul’s “hope of salvation.” (1 Thessalonians 5:8). He is a present Saviour and not a future Saviour.
When Lazarus died, Jesus assured Martha her brother would live again. Martha agreed but noted that Lazarus’ resurrection would take place “at the last day.” Jesus then corrected her by insisting he was talking about the present. He said: “I am the resurrection and the life. He who believes in me, though he may die, he shall live. And whoever lives and believes in me shall never die. Do you believe this?" (John 11:25-26).
Martha still had difficulty relating to this. She replied: “Yes, Lord, I believe that you are the Christ, the Son of God, who is to come into the world.” (John 11:27). But Martha, he is not to come into the world. He has already come, so he can raise your brother from the dead right now. Lazarus was not given “the hope of resurrection:” he was raised from the dead immediately. Thus, we have this strange but cogent expression of Jesus in scripture: “the hour is coming, and now is.” (John 4:23; 5:25). It means the future is now.
Immediate redemption
Paul’s faith without works is dead. (James 2:20). He maintains erroneously that God imputes righteousness to men apart from their works: “To him who does not work but believes on Him who justifies the ungodly, his faith is accounted for righteousness.” (Romans 4:5). This gives the ungodly a license to sin. If good works do not promote salvation, then bad works cannot promote condemnation. But Jesus says different: “Those who have done good will rise to live, and those who have done evil will rise to be condemned.” (John 5:29).
God’s ways are never imputed. Isaiah observes: “When your judgments are in the earth, the inhabitants of the world will learn righteousness.” (Isaiah 26:9). God’s ways are taught and learnt. Ezekiel says: “The son will not share the guilt of the father, nor will the father share the guilt of the son. The righteousness of the righteous man will be credited to him, and the wickedness of the wicked will be charged against him.” (Ezekiel 18:20). This means the righteousness of Jesus will not be ascribed to Christians.
The notion that if we believe in Jesus we automatically become new creatures is naïve. Two thousand years of Pauline Christianity has shown this to be illusory. Christians are by-and-large unrighteous and we have remained so in spite of our lip-service faith in Jesus. Jeremiah warns: “The harvest is past, the summer is ended, and we are not saved!” (Jeremiah 8:20).
Jesus came to save us from our sins. (Matthew 1:21). Those sins are not in the future, but in the present. Therefore, we must repent now. When Zacchaeus declared a readiness to offer restitution for his ill-gotten gains, Jesus declared: “Today salvation has come to this house.” (Luke 19:9). Zacchaeus did not have to wait foolishly for Paul’s “hope of righteousness.” He took immediate steps and righteousness came to him that very instant.
Jesus did not come to save what will be lost. On the contrary, he declares: “The Son of Man has come to seek and to save that which was lost.” (Luke 19:10). We are already lost. We need to be found immediately. We must walk in righteousness today.
Saturday, 6 July 2013
Pastor Paul's Manipulative Witchcraft
By Femi Aribisala
Hold on to your wallets and purses boys and girls. Pastor Paul and his minions are after your money.
Have you noticed that the primary business of pastors is the collection of money? Every manipulative trick in the book is used to do this. The father of this disgraceful practice is Paul. Without a doubt, Paul is a past-master at manipulating churches for money. It is not for nothing he boasts to the Corinthians: “Crafty fellow that I am, I caught you by trickery!” (2 Corinthians 12:16).
Mercenary Paul
Paul says Christians are “indebted” to preachers: “If the Gentiles have been partakers of their spiritual things, their duty is also to minister to them in material things.” (Romans 15:27). This self-serving principle provides the blueprint for the “sowing and reaping” deception prevalent in the churches: “Let him who is taught the word share in all good things with him who teaches. Do not be deceived, God is not mocked; for whatever a man sows, that he will also reap.” (Galatians 6:6-7).
The deceiver here is Paul. For him, “sowing” is not planting the word of God in our hearts according to Jesus’ injunction. (Luke 8:11-15). It is not even giving to orphans or to widows. It is giving money to the so-called “man of God;” in this case, Paul himself. You see the trick here? Paul fabricates a highfalutin religious principle primarily designed to get people to give him money. He says: “Let the elders who rule well be counted worthy of double honor, especially those who labor in the word and doctrine. For the Scripture says, "You shall not muzzle an ox while it treads out the grain." (1 Timothy 5:17-18).
Since man is not an ox, this amounts to quoting Moses out of context. (Deuteronomy 25:4). Indeed, according to Jesus, we should not even expect a “thank you” for our services: “When you have done all those things which you are commanded, say, 'We are unprofitable servants. We have done what was our duty to do.” (Luke 17:10).
419 specialist
Paul barrages the Corinthians repeatedly. He says to them: “If we have sown spiritual things for you, is it a great thing if we reap your material things? If others are partakers of this right over you, are we not even more? Nevertheless we have not used this right, but endure all things lest we hinder the gospel of Christ.” (1 Corinthians 9:11-12).
The man is nothing but a 419 specialist. Paul says it is “a right” to collect money from them, but he will not use this right. So why is he talking about it if not because he wants their money. Is he not, in effect, doing what he says he should not do- hindering the gospel- by asking them for money? Then he goes on: “Even so the Lord has commanded that those who preach the gospel should live from the gospel.” (1 Corinthians 9:14).
This is another one of Paul’s blatant lies. Surely, the Lord himself does not want the gospel to be hindered? All believers are required to preach the gospel. Does it mean, therefore, all believers should live by the gospel? Certainly not! Jesus’ position is diametrically opposite. He says: “Heal the sick, cleanse the lepers, raise the dead, cast out demons. Freely you have received, freely give.” (Matthew 10:8). This means we are not to insist on payment for spiritual services rendered.
Master manipulator
Paul’s tactic is to go around asking for money while protesting he is not: “For you remember, brethren, our labor and toil; for laboring night and day, that we might not be a burden to any of you, we preached to you the gospel of God. (1 Thessalonians 2:9). Okay Paul, why not leave it at that? But no! He goes on: “I have used none of these things, nor have I written these things that it should be done so to me; for it would be better for me to die than that anyone should make my boasting void. What is my reward then? That when I preach the gospel, I may present the gospel of Christ without charge, that I may not abuse my authority in the gospel.” (1 Corinthians 9:15-18).
Note the manipulation here. Paul says he would rather die than collect any money. But the reason why he is saying this is precisely because he wants them to give him money. We then discover he actually collects money without committing suicide, using another cunning rationalisation: “Not that I seek the gift, but I seek the fruit that abounds to your account. Indeed I have all and abound. I am full, having received from Epaphroditus the things sent from you, a sweet-smelling aroma, an acceptable sacrifice, well pleasing to God. And my God shall supply all your need according to His riches in glory by Christ Jesus.” (Philippians 4:17-19).
This is pure manipulative witchcraft from a very a smooth-operator. In a subtle but devious manner, Paul maintains when you give something to him, you are automatically giving it to God. This makes Paul God. The things sent to Paul were well-pleasing not to Paul, but to God. What witchcraft! He then says because they gave to him, his God will supply their need. The God in question here is apparently not “our God” but Paul’s personal exclusive God. Does it mean God will not supply their need if they don’t give anything to Paul?
Paul’s robbery
Paul is unrelenting. He continues to harass the Corinthians in another letter: “Did I commit sin in humbling myself that you might be exalted, because I preached the gospel of God to you free of charge? I ROBBED OTHER CHURCHES, taking wages from them to minister to you. And when I was present with you, and in need, I was a burden to no one, for what I lacked the brethren who came from Macedonia supplied. And in everything I kept myself from being burdensome to you, and so I will keep myself. As the truth of Christ is in me, no one shall stop me from this boasting in the regions of Achaia.” (2 Corinthians 11:7-10).
The gentleman doth protest too much, methinks! The same Paul who says he would rather die than collect money now reveals he “robs” others of their money. So the problem with the Corinthians is that, in spite of his arm-twisting, they have not given Paul money. But Paul refuses to be denied. He says deceptively: “For what is it in which you were inferior to other churches, except that I myself was not burdensome to you? Forgive me this wrong! (2 Corinthians 12:13).
Haba! To what lengths will this man go to extort money from these poor people? How can they be inferior just because they refuse to give money to Paul? He then sends a gang of “the brethren” to collect money from them willy-nilly, while insisting they must give it “cheerfully.” (2 Corinthians 9: 1-6). Nevertheless, he continues to deny his actions: “What I want is not your possessions but you.” (2 Corinthians 12:14).
Hold on to your wallets and purses boys and girls. Pastor Paul and his minions are after your money. They are full of trickery. Before you know it, you will be out of pocket.
Hold on to your wallets and purses boys and girls. Pastor Paul and his minions are after your money.
Have you noticed that the primary business of pastors is the collection of money? Every manipulative trick in the book is used to do this. The father of this disgraceful practice is Paul. Without a doubt, Paul is a past-master at manipulating churches for money. It is not for nothing he boasts to the Corinthians: “Crafty fellow that I am, I caught you by trickery!” (2 Corinthians 12:16).
Mercenary Paul
Paul says Christians are “indebted” to preachers: “If the Gentiles have been partakers of their spiritual things, their duty is also to minister to them in material things.” (Romans 15:27). This self-serving principle provides the blueprint for the “sowing and reaping” deception prevalent in the churches: “Let him who is taught the word share in all good things with him who teaches. Do not be deceived, God is not mocked; for whatever a man sows, that he will also reap.” (Galatians 6:6-7).
The deceiver here is Paul. For him, “sowing” is not planting the word of God in our hearts according to Jesus’ injunction. (Luke 8:11-15). It is not even giving to orphans or to widows. It is giving money to the so-called “man of God;” in this case, Paul himself. You see the trick here? Paul fabricates a highfalutin religious principle primarily designed to get people to give him money. He says: “Let the elders who rule well be counted worthy of double honor, especially those who labor in the word and doctrine. For the Scripture says, "You shall not muzzle an ox while it treads out the grain." (1 Timothy 5:17-18).
Since man is not an ox, this amounts to quoting Moses out of context. (Deuteronomy 25:4). Indeed, according to Jesus, we should not even expect a “thank you” for our services: “When you have done all those things which you are commanded, say, 'We are unprofitable servants. We have done what was our duty to do.” (Luke 17:10).
419 specialist
Paul barrages the Corinthians repeatedly. He says to them: “If we have sown spiritual things for you, is it a great thing if we reap your material things? If others are partakers of this right over you, are we not even more? Nevertheless we have not used this right, but endure all things lest we hinder the gospel of Christ.” (1 Corinthians 9:11-12).
The man is nothing but a 419 specialist. Paul says it is “a right” to collect money from them, but he will not use this right. So why is he talking about it if not because he wants their money. Is he not, in effect, doing what he says he should not do- hindering the gospel- by asking them for money? Then he goes on: “Even so the Lord has commanded that those who preach the gospel should live from the gospel.” (1 Corinthians 9:14).
This is another one of Paul’s blatant lies. Surely, the Lord himself does not want the gospel to be hindered? All believers are required to preach the gospel. Does it mean, therefore, all believers should live by the gospel? Certainly not! Jesus’ position is diametrically opposite. He says: “Heal the sick, cleanse the lepers, raise the dead, cast out demons. Freely you have received, freely give.” (Matthew 10:8). This means we are not to insist on payment for spiritual services rendered.
Master manipulator
Paul’s tactic is to go around asking for money while protesting he is not: “For you remember, brethren, our labor and toil; for laboring night and day, that we might not be a burden to any of you, we preached to you the gospel of God. (1 Thessalonians 2:9). Okay Paul, why not leave it at that? But no! He goes on: “I have used none of these things, nor have I written these things that it should be done so to me; for it would be better for me to die than that anyone should make my boasting void. What is my reward then? That when I preach the gospel, I may present the gospel of Christ without charge, that I may not abuse my authority in the gospel.” (1 Corinthians 9:15-18).
Note the manipulation here. Paul says he would rather die than collect any money. But the reason why he is saying this is precisely because he wants them to give him money. We then discover he actually collects money without committing suicide, using another cunning rationalisation: “Not that I seek the gift, but I seek the fruit that abounds to your account. Indeed I have all and abound. I am full, having received from Epaphroditus the things sent from you, a sweet-smelling aroma, an acceptable sacrifice, well pleasing to God. And my God shall supply all your need according to His riches in glory by Christ Jesus.” (Philippians 4:17-19).
This is pure manipulative witchcraft from a very a smooth-operator. In a subtle but devious manner, Paul maintains when you give something to him, you are automatically giving it to God. This makes Paul God. The things sent to Paul were well-pleasing not to Paul, but to God. What witchcraft! He then says because they gave to him, his God will supply their need. The God in question here is apparently not “our God” but Paul’s personal exclusive God. Does it mean God will not supply their need if they don’t give anything to Paul?
Paul’s robbery
Paul is unrelenting. He continues to harass the Corinthians in another letter: “Did I commit sin in humbling myself that you might be exalted, because I preached the gospel of God to you free of charge? I ROBBED OTHER CHURCHES, taking wages from them to minister to you. And when I was present with you, and in need, I was a burden to no one, for what I lacked the brethren who came from Macedonia supplied. And in everything I kept myself from being burdensome to you, and so I will keep myself. As the truth of Christ is in me, no one shall stop me from this boasting in the regions of Achaia.” (2 Corinthians 11:7-10).
The gentleman doth protest too much, methinks! The same Paul who says he would rather die than collect money now reveals he “robs” others of their money. So the problem with the Corinthians is that, in spite of his arm-twisting, they have not given Paul money. But Paul refuses to be denied. He says deceptively: “For what is it in which you were inferior to other churches, except that I myself was not burdensome to you? Forgive me this wrong! (2 Corinthians 12:13).
Haba! To what lengths will this man go to extort money from these poor people? How can they be inferior just because they refuse to give money to Paul? He then sends a gang of “the brethren” to collect money from them willy-nilly, while insisting they must give it “cheerfully.” (2 Corinthians 9: 1-6). Nevertheless, he continues to deny his actions: “What I want is not your possessions but you.” (2 Corinthians 12:14).
Hold on to your wallets and purses boys and girls. Pastor Paul and his minions are after your money. They are full of trickery. Before you know it, you will be out of pocket.
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