Author: missionspaul

For the truth – can you appear to be wrong?

Some leaders when facing criticism or challenges to their authority are tempted to seek to defend themselves. They need to be vindicated, so they think, when actually they don’t.

“Now we pray to God that you will not do anything wrong – not so that people will see that we have stood the test but so that you will do what is right even though we may seem to have failed. For we cannot do anything against the truth, but only for the truth.” 2 Corinthians‬ ‭13‬:‭7‬-‭8‬ ‭

What I have learnt in life and these verses support it, is this:

• I don’t need to prove my critics wrong.
• I will appear to be wrong in the eyes of people even when I’m not … and that’s okay.
• The welfare of others is more important than my own reputation, “you will do what is right even though we may seem to have failed.”
• “For we cannot do anything against the truth, but only for the truth” this is Paul saying he cannot manipulate truth to serve his own purpose, he is not the master of it but the servant and he cannot work against it for his own reputation.

There are times because you are a lover of the Church and importantly a lover of truth that you will choose the path of appearing to be wrong even when you know you’re not.

It’s called the cross. 

I have in my mind a church member of many years ago (she’s with the Lord now) who was known to stand with her hands in the air in worship and at the same time be able to look around the church to see where people are sitting and what they are doing! Is that synergy? Well probably not! It did look like she was just going through the motions of worship.

For myself there have been many seasons where I’ve found myself not as engaged as I had been previously. On examination I have had to renew my spiritual disciplines and this has kept me in the faith.

As we continue into this final chapter we see Paul urging the Church to be the best they can be. 

“Examine yourselves to see whether you are in the faith; test yourselves. Do you not realise that Christ Jesus is in you – unless, of course, you fail the test? And I trust that you will discover that we have not failed the test.” 2 Corinthians‬ ‭13‬:‭5‬-‭6‬ ‭

Like a physical medical or even more, a testing of metals, this is not just a gentle look but a rigorous spiritual audit of our life.

So what is that test? Is it like me and my spiritual disciplines? No. It is this one thing that Paul says: Christ in you. 

Christ in you.

Let those 3 words dwell for a moment.

Christ in you.

• Are you becoming more like Christ? The fruit of the Spirit check-list is helpful.
• Why do we do what we do? What are the gains? Selfish or Serving Him?
• What are people saying of us? Paul wanted the Corinthians to look at his life.

Do you not realise that Christ Jesus is in you? Let that question fill your mind and heart. Let it hang over you for a moment. Once again let it penetrate every aspect of your life. Let it shape you, your thoughts and words, your decisions and work. Christ is in you. 

It will certainly help you not to go through the motions. 

The best of leaders are those who can have the most awkward and difficult of conversations with courage and compassion. This paradoxical position is beautiful when it is witnessed. The ability to show strength within weakness and authority through serving is sometimes missing from churches and leaders. Let me use those four words again: awkward and difficult …. (We’ve all witnessed one of those conversations) …. with courage and compassion. That’s how to handle people.

“This will be my third visit to you. ‘Every matter must be established by the testimony of two or three witnesses.’ I already gave you a warning when I was with you the second time. I now repeat it while absent: on my return I will not spare those who sinned earlier or any of the others, since you are demanding proof that Christ is speaking through me. He is not weak in dealing with you, but is powerful among you. For to be sure, he was crucified in weakness, yet he lives by God’s power. Likewise, we are weak in him, yet by God’s power we will live with him in our dealing with you.” 2 Corinthians‬ ‭13‬:‭1‬-‭4‬ ‭

This is a final appeal to a divided church of which had welcomed or if not had certainly allowed infiltrators into their community who worked at rubbishing Paul’s authority and credibility. He plans to visit them again but he is concerned about that visit.

We have here some of the most beautiful words that Paul used. Christ was “crucified in weakness, yet he lives by God’s power.” Similarly, Paul acknowledges his own weakness while affirming that God’s power will be evident in his dealings with the Corinthians.

This paradox lies at the heart of Christian leadership and discipleship. True spiritual authority doesn’t emerge from human strength, eloquence, or impressive credentials. Instead, it flows from a deep dependence on God’s power, often manifested through what the world perceives as weakness.

His reluctance to exercise disciplinary authority reflects the character of God himself. Church discipline, when properly administered, is always redemptive in purpose.

Paul’s approach in these verses offers several important principles for contemporary church leadership:

• Paul doesn’t ambush the Corinthians with sudden discipline. He has warned them repeatedly and is giving them one final opportunity to respond appropriately. Effective church discipline requires clear communication and fair process. 
• Dependence on Divine Power: Paul’s confession of weakness coupled with confidence in God’s power reminds leaders that human wisdom and strength are insufficient for spiritual work.
• What makes this passage so powerful is the vulnerability Paul displays. He’s not a distant authority figure issuing threats; he’s a pastor whose heart has been broken by the spiritual condition of his spiritual children. His warning comes not from a desire to prove his authority but from a desperate hope that the Corinthians will respond before more drastic measures become necessary.

That’s how we should handle people whatever position of life we are in.

Actually these are concerns for every Christian. 

Paul is defending his lengthy writing around his apostleship. He is anticipating the church thinking he was just trying to vindicate himself. He wasn’t. This wasn’t his main concern there were others.

“Have you been thinking all along that we have been defending ourselves to you? We have been speaking in the sight of God as those in Christ; and everything we do, dear friends, is for your strengthening. For I am afraid that when I come I may not find you as I want you to be, and you may not find me as you want me to be. I fear that there may be discord, jealousy, fits of rage, selfish ambition, slander, gossip, arrogance and disorder. I am afraid that when I come again my God will humble me before you, and I will be grieved over many who have sinned earlier and have not repented of the impurity, sexual sin and debauchery in which they have indulged.”

‭‭2 Corinthians‬ ‭12‬:‭19‬-‭21‬ ‭

Paul’s main concerns and what should be for every Christian but especially leaders are these:-

• Constructing the church. “for your strengthening” – the word means to build/construct. That has to be one of the greatest concerns. Is how we are speaking and acting encouraging the church? 
• Corruption. “Selfish ambition”. Some were using the church for their own benefits and for the needs of others. 
• Communication. “Discord” etc. Some churches have rifts that last years and then wonder why they’re not growing. Slander and gossip whispered through the atmosphere of the church.
• Compromise. “Have not repented”. The boundaries between church and culture have become blurred. 
• Calling. “may not find you as I want you to be” One of the major concerns should always be that the church’s members are fulfilling their calling and that applies to the leader of the church also. Pastors (or whatever title) need to know they are being true to their calling. Their effectiveness is directly  linked to the church’s spiritual health and do naturally they are rightly concerned. Which leads nicely to the final element. “you may not find me as you want me to be” is Paul saying his effectiveness is linked to their spiritual health. 
• Condition of the people’s heart. “I will be grieved.” The ministry is done with tears. There is an emotional investment that isn’t easily put down or distance created from it. 

Paul was right to be concerned. This was healthy concern. We need hearts that will break over the condition of our churches. 

Paul’s response to accusations about his authority and motives wasn’t what was expected and neither does it align with some leadership styles today.

Hows was an upside down leadership model .

“Now I am ready to visit you for the third time, and I will not be a burden to you, because what I want is not your possessions but you. After all, children should not have to save up for their parents, but parents for their children. So I will very gladly spend for you everything I have and expend myself as well. If I love you more, will you love me less? Be that as it may, I have not been a burden to you. Yet, crafty fellow that I am, I caught you by trickery! Did I exploit you through any of the men I sent to you? I urged Titus to go to you and I sent our brother with him. Titus did not exploit you, did he? Did we not walk in the same footsteps by the same Spirit?” 2 Corinthians‬ ‭12‬:‭14‬-‭18‬ ‭

Paul’s leadership model was:

1. People over profit, v14 “what I want is not your possessions but you”. This is not the attendance figures but the development of the character of people. This kind of leader is not trying to gain for themself in any way, financially, social status or any advantage personally. 
2. Parental approach, v14 “children should not have to save up for their parents, but parents for their children.” The big question is always this: are you developing people to surpass you, to carry the baton further than you, or are you simply wanting to create dependency on you? 
3. Pour out your life, v15, “So I will very gladly spend for you everything I have and expend myself as well.” This leader gives everything, nothing is wasted, they pour out their lives as an offering. In doing so they become even more influential.
4. Pure love, v15, “If I love you more, will you love me less?” Authentic leaders love regardless whether it is reciprocated or not. Their motivation is pure. It does not wait for applause. 
5. Preemptive transparency, v16-18, “Be that as it may, I have not been a burden to you. Yet, crafty fellow that I am, I caught you by trickery! Did I exploit you through any of the men I sent to you? I urged Titus to go to you and I sent our brother with him. Titus did not exploit you, did he? Did we not walk in the same footsteps by the same Spirit? Paul addressed potential issues before they became a reality. Even before he needs to he is inviting scrutiny into his leadership.

This is not about being a better leader but about being a different kind of leader. An upside down leader. 

Appearances? Charisma? Size and numbers?

“I have made a fool of myself, but you drove me to it. I ought to have been commended by you, for I am not in the least inferior to the ‘super-apostles’, even though I am nothing. I persevered in demonstrating among you the marks of a true apostle, including signs, wonders and miracles. How were you inferior to the other churches, except that I was never a burden to you? Forgive me this wrong!” 2 Corinthians‬ ‭12‬:‭11‬-‭13‬ 

The genuine often feel embarrassed at self-promotion or the possibility of it.

The genuine often serve sacrificially and in secret.

The genuine is marked by patience as they serve God without recognition or appreciation.

The Church had experienced the authentic apostleship of Paul but were still being swayed by the loud self-promotion of those who only claimed they were an apostle.

It is still the same today. 

It is possible that those whose focus is only that of marketing their self-declared ministries actually have little substance. Whereas sometimes the genuine can hardly be seen. 

It could be that what impresses you is fake and what you have missed is the genuine. 

Have you ever wondered why God hasn’t answered your prayer in the way you hoped He would?

“Even if I should choose to boast, I would not be a fool, because I would be speaking the truth. But I refrain, so no-one will think more of me than is warranted by what I do or say, or because of these surpassingly great revelations. Therefore, in order to keep me from becoming conceited, I was given a thorn in my flesh, a messenger of Satan, to torment me. Three times I pleaded with the Lord to take it away from me. But he said to me, ‘My grace is sufficient for you, for my power is made perfect in weakness.’ Therefore I will boast all the more gladly about my weaknesses, so that Christ’s power may rest on me. That is why, for Christ’s sake, I delight in weaknesses, in insults, in hardships, in persecutions, in difficulties. For when I am weak, then I am strong.” 2 Corinthians‬ ‭12‬:‭6‬-‭10‬ ‭

It matters not what the thorn was for Paul. The thorn was an unanswered prayer that Paul thought needed fixing but it wasn’t fixed. Why does this happen to us?

• To protect us from pride.
• An opportunity to experience more grace.
• We realise His ongoing and sustaining presence within the circumstance is enough.
• Within the thorn lies the venue where the power of God is seen in its fullest form.
• It gives the opportunity for authentic community as we become real about our experience.
• We begin to live our lives in faith as we carry unanswered questions.
• We become weak enough to carry the presence of God.
• Grants a testimony which is not free of problems but shouts of the power of God being present despite the problems.

So today perhaps instead of hiding your thorn or being embarrassed by it we consider how God may want to display His power through it. Instead of pleading for the thorn’s removal we pray for the grace of God that sustains us within the thorn.

It is then when we are at our weakest that we can declare that we are strong.

Sometimes it’s just too difficult to describe a God encounter and sometimes it’s best not to even try. 

“I must go on boasting. Although there is nothing to be gained, I will go on to visions and revelations from the Lord. I know a man in Christ who fourteen years ago was caught up to the third heaven. Whether it was in the body or out of the body I do not know – God knows. And I know that this man – whether in the body or apart from the body I do not know, but God knows – was caught up to paradise and heard inexpressible things, things that no-one is permitted to tell. I will boast about a man like that, but I will not boast about myself, except about my weaknesses.”

‭‭2 Corinthians‬ ‭12‬:‭1‬-‭5‬ ‭

He writes in the 3rd person perhaps out of humility or maybe he just cannot believe it was him who had the experience. But the key phrase is that he was ‘in Christ’. This sums up his life’s mission, to be so united with Christ that all he did was for Christ and in alignment with Christ. 

Now about the 3rd heaven. For the Jew the sky is the first heaven, the heavens/universe is the 2nd heaven and God’s presence is the 3rd heaven. Paul visited paradise, the place of God, heaven itself. In that place it is difficult to find the words to describe five the experience. Further, Paul didn’t know whether it was in or outside the body. This sophisticated and intelligent man could not understand really what had happened to him. It is a great example of not being able to neatly categorise what God did for us when He touched us. 

• Authentic encounters are difficult to describe.
• Authentic encounters produce humility around what happened not pride.
• Authentic encounters are not diminished because of a lack of clarity.
• Authentic encounters are God-led not man driven. God caught Paul upwards.

These next 2 verses at the end of this chapter reveal just what this upside down kingdom looks like.

“In Damascus the governor under King Aretas had the city of the Damascenes guarded in order to arrest me. But I was lowered in a basket from a window in the wall and slipped through his hands.”

‭‭2 Corinthians‬ ‭11‬:‭32‬-‭33‬ 

Right now you might be feeling inadequate for the task and overwhelmed with so much to carry and do. If this is you then remember this event from Paul’s life. 

In a place where he had been previously known as the persecutor of Christians and where he was dramatically saved, he was saved again.

In a place where an enforcer of the King’s wishes that Paul be captured was searching for him.

In a place where there was no way out, he was indeed contained not knowing what to do.

In that place there was a basket.

When hard-pressed by the enemy Paul was lowered down in a basket in an elaborate but maybe undignified escape. Preserved by God’s grace for purposes far higher than he could have imagined. 

A basket is nearer to you than you think. Sometimes the great acts of faith are found in the moments that just feel like survival, hiding in a basket, relying totally on God’s grace. 

Look for that basket. God still uses them. 

In Paul’s day as in ours there were spiritual superstars who would boast of their ministries and what they have achieved. 

Paul joins in but not as they expect. 

“To my shame I admit that we were too weak for that! Whatever anyone else dares to boast about – I am speaking as a fool – I also dare to boast about. Are they Hebrews? So am I. Are they Israelites? So am I. Are they Abraham’s descendants? So am I. Are they servants of Christ? (I am out of my mind to talk like this.) I am more. I have worked much harder, been in prison more frequently, been flogged more severely, and been exposed to death again and again. Five times I received from the Jews the forty lashes minus one. Three times I was beaten with rods, once I was pelted with stones, three times I was shipwrecked, I spent a night and a day in the open sea, I have been constantly on the move. I have been in danger from rivers, in danger from bandits, in danger from my fellow Jews, in danger from Gentiles; in danger in the city, in danger in the country, in danger at sea; and in danger from false believers. I have laboured and toiled and have often gone without sleep; I have known hunger and thirst and have often gone without food; I have been cold and naked. Besides everything else, I face daily the pressure of my concern for all the churches. Who is weak, and I do not feel weak? Who is led into sin, and I do not inwardly burn? If I must boast, I will boast of the things that show my weakness. The God and Father of the Lord Jesus, who is to be praised for ever, knows that I am not lying. In Damascus the governor under King Aretas had the city of the Damascenes guarded in order to arrest me. But I was lowered in a basket from a window in the wall and slipped through his hands.”

‭‭2 Corinthians‬ ‭11‬:‭21‬-‭33‬ ‭

Paul’s boasting is:

Prison time beyond number

Beatings that can’t be counted.

39 lashes from the Jews but times 5.

3 times beaten with rods.

Multiple brushes with death.

Stones once.

Shipwrecked 3 times.

A night and a day trying to survive in the sea.

Danger from rivers.

Danger from robbers.

Danger from the Jews.

Danger from the Gentiles.

Danger in the cities.

Danger in the deserts.

Danger from false leaders.

Toil.

Hardship.

Sleepless nights.

Hunger.

Thirst.

Cold.

“That’s a summary of what it’s been like for me since commencing my apostolic ministry”

Would you say this is success?

Would you want to go to his leadership seminar?

If you were to try and be like Paul, is this what you had in mind?

Only if you know this truth: that sufferings don’t disqualify you from ministry they authenticate it. 

So you want to be an apostle, prophet, pastor or whatever? Or maybe you just want to be known as a successful Christian?

• Focus more on being honest not successful.
• Be willing to go through tough moments without giving up your walk with God.
• Know that your strength is displayed through your weakness.

Then you will have something to boast about.