It is universally agreed that the office of Apostle belongs first on the list of functions in the life of the True Church. It will not be twisted into a shape like so many people want it, just to serve their own personal case.
Scripture teaches that the only hierarchy in the Church is simple: Christ is the Head (“we lovingly speak the truth, we will grow up completely in our relationship to Christ, who is the head. He makes the whole body fit together and unites it through the support of every joint. As each and every part does its job, he makes the body grow so that it builds itself up in love” [Ephesians 4:15-16 God’s Word©]); we are merely branches (“I am the vine. You are the branches. Those who live in me while I live in them will produce a lot of fruit. But you can’t produce anything without me” (John 15:5 God’s Word©]).
There are people, however, who are given offices in the Church who demand other Christians submit to their authority, or donate to personal use, or give blind allegiance to whatever doctrine they spout, and these hypocrites destroy any who would remind believers that we serve only Jesus, and NO human being. The Apostles did not inherit worldly prosperity, which clearly shows that those false preachers and teachers who wallow in earthly wealth cannot be servants to Jesus.
According to Paul (an Apostle) God reduces Apostles nearly to humiliation as a model for ALL believers that we are branches, not feeding stalks.
“As I see it, God has placed us apostles last in line, like people condemned to die. We have become a spectacle for people and angels to look at. We have given up our wisdom for Christ, but you have insight because of Christ. We are weak, but you are strong. You are honored, but we are dishonored. To this moment, we are hungry, thirsty, poorly dressed, roughly treated, and homeless. We wear ourselves out doing physical labor. When people verbally abuse us, we bless them. When people persecute us, we endure it. When our reputations are attacked, we remain courteous. Right now we have become garbage in the eyes of the world and trash in the sight of all people” (1 Corinthians 4:9-13 God’s Word©).
So, whose case do you promote? Is it your personal one for wealth, power, status and ego-stroking? Or do you promote the glory of God, and that Jesus, “The lamb who was slain deserves to receive power, wealth, wisdom, strength, honor, glory, and praise” (Revelation 5:12 God’s Word©).
If you end up with power, wealth, honour, glory and praise from human beings, you have subverted the place of Creator God. That’s what “morning star, son of the dawn” did (Isaiah 14:12 God’s Word©), and that devil lost everything trying to get everything.
Whose case is it you promote?
4 responses to “Whose Case Is It 5? Who’s the Boss”
nopew
January 12th, 2015 at 09:06
Thank you for your kind affirmation, my friend.
Peace
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mwitasblog
January 12th, 2015 at 02:10
Certainly an ‘apostle’ who wallows in wealth is not the Biblical example of an apostle of Jesus Christ that we have. Nor one that makes demands on his followers, be it of submission, etc.
Well put, brother.
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nopew
January 11th, 2015 at 20:07
Matt Redman has some great songs. Yes, “it’s all about Jesus”!
Peace
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Wendy L. Macdonald
January 11th, 2015 at 17:52
This reminds me of a song we sang at worship service today. When the Music Fades, by Matt Redman, reminds us it’s all about Jesus. Thank you for pointing us to Him.
Blessings ~ Wendy ❀
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