Apostle Milkshake
For this cause I Paul, the prisoner of Jesus Christ for you
Gentiles, If ye have heard of the dispensation of the grace of God which is given me to you-ward: How that by
revelation he made known unto me the
mystery; (as I wrote afore in few words, Whereby, when ye read, ye may understand my knowledge in the mystery of
Christ) Which in other ages was not made known unto the sons of men, as it is
now revealed unto his holy apostles and prophets by the Spirit; That the
Gentiles should be fellowheirs, and of the same body, and partakers of his
promise in Christ by the gospel: Whereof
I was made a minister, according to the gift of the grace of God given unto
me by the effectual working of his power. Unto me, who am less than the least of all
saints, is this grace given, that I should preach among the Gentiles the
unsearchable riches of Christ; And to
make all men see what is the
fellowship of the mystery, which from the beginning of the world hath been
hid in God, who created all things by Jesus Christ: To the intent that now unto the principalities and powers in heavenly
places might be known by the church the manifold wisdom of God,
According to the eternal purpose which he purposed in Christ Jesus our Lord: In
whom we have boldness and access with confidence by the faith of him. Wherefore
I desire that ye faint not at my tribulations for you, which is your glory.
Isn’t it glorious to have a milkshake? There are so many different kinds to choose from. You can drink a sweet one with ice cream, a creamy one with fruit, or a healthy one with protein mix. But one thing is certain when it comes to milkshakes, their ingredients and overall purpose is to satisfy you (minister to you) and fill you.
Who now rejoice in my sufferings for you, and fill up that which is behind of the afflictions of Christ in my flesh for his body's sake, which is the church:
It is my purpose in this
interpretation to explain in detail the necessary emptying and filling that takes
place within the ministry of the apostle.
I will liken this process to the preparation of a milkshake. In order for a milkshake to fulfill its
purpose, the ingredients must exist; and then those ingredients must be blended
properly. In this interpretation I will
explain how the ministry of an apostle is much like the ministry of a
milkshake. I am going to place special
emphasis on the blending process because it is the characteristic of the
blending process that makes a milkshake a milkshake.
Why is it called an Apostle Milkshake and not a
Pastor Milkshake or a Teacher Milkshake or a Prophet Milkshake?
I will first discuss the
concept of the milkshake in relation to a pastors and teachers calling.
Even though a teacher and
a pastor have the ability to abide within the revelation of God and receive
from the mysteries of Christ (1 Corinthians 12:7) their abiding process and
their discernment (knowledge within this mystery, Ephesians 3:4) is limited. Take a look at the example of scripture
above. You can clearly see that it is
both the apostle and prophet that are given a healthy revelation into the
mystery of Christ. This is knowledge
that Peter declares, “Angles desire to look into” (1 Peter 1:12). Furthermore it is obvious from the scripture
that the principalities and powers in the heavens don’t yet understand these
mysteries until the church declares them, mostly by the revelation given
through the apostles and prophets (Ephesians 3:10). An apostle’s call or ministry is to abide
within the revelation of the mystery of Christ to the intent that they might
eventually work out a dutiful knowledge within that mystery (Ephesians
3:4). To faithfully abide within this
mystery is to exist within a spiritual battleground (2 Kings 9:11-13, 1
Corinthians 9:26-27, Daniel 7:28, 8:17, 8:27, Romans 13:1, Matthew 11:12), and
this type of expectation is required only of the apostle and prophet (Luke
12:47-48, 1 Corinthians 4:1).
If you understand the
usefulness of the pastor in regard to his calling and the usefulness of an
apostle in regard to his calling then the differences become clearer. With regard to the authority an apostle is
given within a congregation let’s take a close look at the family environment. The mother and father are the heads of the
household (Exodus 20:12). It is their
responsibility to raise their children and to Shepard their children much like
a pastor is to raise up a congregation and Shepard a congregation (a covering
if you will). But what if the children
decide to rebel, what if the parents have done the best they can do and the
children simply become unruly, or in the Pastor’s case, the congregation of God
becomes apathetic or disinterested. It
then becomes time to call in the authority (Deuteronomy 21:20). Now remember the apostles primary purpose is
to edify the church by abiding in the mystery of Christ but if a church becomes
sick then the apostle’s role as an authoritarian will take precedence. It is a Pastor’s job to be a mother and
father figure to their congregations and it is an apostles job to be the
authority if need be (1 Corinthians 4:21), yet always the correct type of
authority (Luke 22:24-26, 2 Corinthians
10:1, 10:8-13, 13:10). In today’s
society if a child becomes unruly then the police are called and the police’s
authority overrides the parent’s authority.
It’s the same concept. It is the
pastor’s responsibility to raise his congregation, just like it would be a
parent’s job to raise their children, but if for whatever reason the
congregation begins to have serious problems, then it is time to call in the
spiritual police (apostles) in order for righteousness to be reestablished (2
Corinthians 12:12, 13:10). This example
simply means what it means. Both the
apostle and the pastor have their role to play.
The parents and pastors are responsible to Shepard and teach their
families properly and the apostles, if problems arise, will become the
authority to keep the peace and to balance any unrest. The apostles have not been raised up to become
the spiritual police, their primary desire and purpose is to edify the church
through revelation, but this example describes the parental role the apostles
will automatically assume if spiritual unrest occurs. In this case an apostle, because of their
unique discernment into the wisdom of God, will supplant the pastor’s parental
role and become the father figure based on the authority God has given them (2
Corinthians 13:10). You might ask, “What
does authority have to do with an Apostle Milkshake?” I will later explain how an apostle’s
responsibility as an authoritarian is actually what ushers in the process of
the apostle becoming a milkshake.
Regarding a pastor or
teacher’s specific calling in relation to their congregation, their primary
purpose is to teach what has been revealed unto them. It is not common for a pastor or teacher to
abide within the revelation of Christ and then to expound on that
revelation. Let’s take the science of
math for an example. There are many math
teachers in the world, but none of them introduced math to our world. None of them were the source of math’s
concept. The teachers who teach math are
simply dissecting and then teaching the science that has already been
revealed. It is the same with pastors
and teachers. Pastors and teachers do
not introduce the revelation of God, the concepts of the bible did not come
from them, but they are the ones who teach regarding these revelations. Now, the apostles and prophets on the other hand,
do become the ones who receive the revelation of God and then introduce
revelations to the Church (directly to the pastors/teachers). Apostles wrote all the books of the New
Testament. Today, it is the duty of the
modern day apostles and prophets to abide within the revelation of the mystery
of Christ so that revelation can be introduced.
This in turn gives pastors and teachers revelation in which to instruct
the people. Basically God hands the
apostles and prophets the blueprints for His Church. The apostles and prophets in turn instruct
the pastors and teachers regarding the blueprints and then everybody gets to
work. The writer of the book of Hebrews
(Peter I believe, because he was called to minister the gospel unto the
circumcision – Galatians 2:7) also talks about the meat of the word (Hebrews
5:12-14). This meat symbolizes the
nutrients that are necessary in order for spiritual maturity to exist. An apostle or prophet will supply the meat of
the word (blueprint or revelation of God) and the pastor and teachers will then
cut up the meat (instruct/minister regarding the revelation of God or basically
follow the blueprint) and ensure the congregation is getting fed or
essentially, being built properly. The
pastors will indeed have certain wisdom and discernment (1 Corinthians 12:7, 1
John 2:27) to flavor these revelations and gear them toward their congregations
but their main purpose is to strategize and organize and compile what has been
reveled to them (or given to them via the blueprint).
I want to emphasize that a
pastor and teachers primary responsibility is to make sure their flock is safe
and well cared for (fed/built). When a
pastor has an entire congregation relying on him for life long direction then
he simply doesn’t have the time to abide within the mystery of Christ. To make a long story short, you show me a
pastor who is effectively abiding within the mystery of Christ and still has
the time and energy to control, maintain and grow his entire congregation and I
will show you superman. Between
counseling and directing services and caring for individual members a pastor
would shortchange his congregation if he spent time trying to abide in the
mystery of Christ. That’s what apostles
are for (Acts 6:2-4), and that’s also why apostles aren’t given much
responsibility within a pastor’s congregation, because it would suck the life
out of the apostle, and this is not his responsibility (Acts 6:1-4). An apostle’s job is to abide within the revelation
of the mystery of Christ and to edify the Church body via this revelation, and
it is a pastor or teachers job to Shepard their individual congregations within
that revelation. We need to respect the
differences within each other’s ministries and gifts (1 Corinthians 12:12-20,
25-30) and then honor God by using those ministries and gifts according to his
purposes (Ephesians 4:8, 1 Corinthians 12:4-6, Romans 11:29, 12:3-8).
Now let’s seek the
differences in relation to a prophets calling.
First of all, what is the
main difference between an apostle and a prophet? There are a few. Basically an apostle is a prophet who has
been glorified by God. God called Moses
“more than a prophet.” (Numbers 12:6-8)
Basically Moses’ calling as a leader prophet (deliverer) in the Old
Testament could be likened to the calling of an apostle in the New
Testament. This is because Moses was
not only in tune with God the Father, as any prophet should be, but he had also
been granted special leverage and authority with man (Genesis 32:28) because of
his intimate relationship with God (Numbers 12:7-8). When is comes to the discussion between the
difference of an apostle and a prophet it is very important to discern directly
from the bible as well as directly from the Spirit of God. This is because the bible clearly states that
there is a distinct difference between an apostle and a prophet (Ephesians
4:11), but then offers us little clear revelation as to what that difference
is.
An apostle is one who has
been granted power and authority into the Spirit of God (Ephesians 3:1-13) and has additionally been granted
power and authority within the administrative duties of the church (God and
Man)(Acts 6:1-6). An apostle is
basically a prophet who, if need be, becomes an administrator over churches,
people, situations and circumstances. A
prophet, on the other hand, has been granted power and authority into the
things of God solely (Only God) (Ephesians 3:1-13). Here’s the major difference and partial
reason why. The Word of God that an
apostle and prophet speak is the authority.
Did you get that? Let me repeat
it again. The word of God that an
apostle and prophet speak is
the authority. This means a prophet only
has authority with God, and not with man.
The only authority a prophet has is the word of God that he speaks. There is no additional authority a prophet
has when it comes to man. You might ask,
“Well, then why do prophets seem to have such authority? Why does everybody listen and look up to the prophets
and basically respect them like they have some kind of special authority…?” Because they’re wrong! A prophet’s job is to edify the congregation
and church through the Word of God which by itself becomes the sole
authority. A prophet has no authority
simply because no one is accountable to him (no person relies upon him). When a prophet speaks a revelation the
congregation becomes accountable to the word of God that the prophet speaks,
but never to the prophet himself. The
prophet himself is accountable to God but no church member is reliant upon
him. Because no church member is reliant
upon him then he has no leverage into any of the church member’s lives. Because he has no leverage into any of the
church member’s lives then he is never directly responsible for any of
them. A people’s reliance upon a person
is what creates accountability (and authority) within that person. Children’s reliance upon their parents is
what creates a parent’s responsibility, accountability and authority toward
their children. If the children grow up
(at the age of 18) and no longer rely upon their parents, then there remains no
more accountability, responsibility or even authority on the parent’s part
(according to the law). In essence,
since the prophets have not been given any God ordained authority over the
people, then the people will never rely upon the prophets. Since the people will never rely on the
prophets, then by default the prophets will never become accountable, responsible
or even have any kind of authority over the people… simply because no reliance
exists. If the prophet messes up, God
will judge him dearly (Ezekiel 33:1-20), but because no reliance exists, which
is actually what creates leverage (accountability) in the first place, then
there never exists any authority that the prophet will need over the
congregations.
An apostle, on the other
hand, is one who has been granted power and authority into the Spirit of God
(Ephesians 3:1-13) and has
additionally been granted power and authority into the administrative duties of
the church (Acts 6:1-6). What this means
is that an apostle has plenty of authority and consequent accountability when
it comes to the rule over the congregations.
I am not going to go into detail concerning the apostles calling in
relation to the administrative duties of the church but I am going to clarify
exactly how an apostle becomes an Apostle Milkshake and how this process
correlates with accountability in regards to the apostle’s God ordained
administrative authority.
So how exactly does an Apostle become an Apostle
Milkshake?
The deluding and blending
of the milkshake is both the mix of the apostle abiding in the mystery of
Christ as well as the apostles individual character, witness and
testimony. These are two different
parts. The apostle abiding within the
mystery of Christ symbolizes the milk and the apostle’s overall individual
character symbolizes the other ingredients (ex. fruit, yogurt, ice cream,
protein powder). These two ingredients
combined and blended create the milkshake.
Let’s decipher it a little
more. An apostle is called to abide
within the revelation of the mystery of Christ; this abiding symbolizes the
milk. An apostle also has his own individual
character and witness and testimony that he brings, this symbolizes the other
ingredients (ex. fruit, yogurt, ice cream, protein powder). In order to make a milkshake you need both
sets of ingredients. God’s calling on
the apostle is no different. He needs
the apostle to stay true to his calling by both abiding within the revelation
of the mystery of Christ as well as by laying down his own personality, witness
and testimony upon the alter of sacrifice, (Romans 12:1) thus accomplishing
Gods perfect will. You can’t make a
milkshake with only milk and God can’t make an apostle with only the revelation
of God. God needs a man to heed the call
by faith (Romans 12:6) and then to bring his consecrated emotions upon Gods
alter so God can have access to the other ingredients that are vital for the
milkshake (The apostle’s desires, opinions and self-will crucified). Once God has a man who has chosen to bring
these other ingredients to the table then God will be faithful to supply the
milk of the revelation of the mystery of Christ. This milk will fill the apostle and then, because
of the apostle’s obedience by faith (Galatians 5:24), God will begin dissolving
the apostle (crucifying the self) along with the revelation of God in him
(milk) in order to create the perfect Apostle Milkshake. You might ask, “Okay, so I understand the
apostle’s self-will and character being crucified symbolizes the other ingredients
and the milk added is the essential revelation of God, but what about all this
dissolving stuff and what’s this for exactly?”
(Words of Paul the
apostle)
1 Corinthians 15:31
I protest by your rejoicing which I have in Christ Jesus our Lord, I die daily.
Galatians 2:20
I am crucified with Christ: nevertheless I live; yet not I, but Christ liveth in me: and the life which I now live in the flesh I live by the faith of the Son of God, who loved me, and gave himself for me.
1 Corinthians 4:9-13
For I think that God hath set forth us the apostles last,
as it were appointed to death: for we are made a spectacle unto the world, and
to angels, and to men. We are fools
for Christ's sake, but ye are wise in Christ; we are weak, but ye are strong;
ye are honourable, but we are despised.
Even unto this present hour we both hunger, and thirst, and are naked,
and are buffeted, and have no certain dwellingplace; And labour, working with
our own hands: being reviled, we bless; being persecuted, we suffer it: Being
defamed, we intreat: we are made as the filth of the world, and are the
offscouring of all things unto this day.
2 Corinthians 12:15
And I will very gladly spend and be spent for you; though the more abundantly I love you, the less I be loved.
Jesus Christ’s ministry
was to die on this earth. His life’s
ministry was a continual dissolving process in which he obeyed and abode within
the revelation of God (John 12:49, 8:29).
Many times in the bible we are told that Jesus’ body symbolized bread
and that his blood symbolized wine (Mark 14:22-25, John 6:53-55, 1 Corinthians
10:16-17). Jesus knew these elements
contained sustaining nutrients our spiritual bodies would need if we chose to
abide in him (John 15:4-7). Paul the
apostle was a minister who was given or dissolved in his life’s service to the
Lord (Philippians 2:17, 2 Timothy 4:6).
Every day, and on some days more than others, Paul was blended and
became an Apostle Milkshake so the people could partake (Philippians 1:7,
Romans 15:27). His life, a testimony to
Jesus Christ (1 Corinthians 2:1-5) along with his decision to abide within the
Spirit of Christ (Philippians 3:8-12), became the perfect ingredients to
dissolve that the people might be edified (filled up). But how exactly did God dissolve Paul and
what became the witness that the people received from this dissolving?
2 Corinthians 12:15-21
And I will very gladly spend and be spent for you; though the more abundantly I love you, the less I be loved. But be it so, I did not burden you: nevertheless, being crafty, I caught you with guile. Did I make a gain of you by any of them whom I sent unto you? I desired Titus, and with him I sent a brother. Did Titus make a gain of you? walked we not in the same spirit? walked we not in the same steps? Again, think ye that we excuse ourselves unto you? we speak before God in Christ: but we do all things, dearly beloved, for your edifying. For I fear, lest, when I come, I shall not find you such as I would, and that I shall be found unto you such as ye would not: lest there be debates, envyings, wraths, strifes, backbitings, whisperings, swellings, tumults: And lest, when I come again, my God will humble me among you, and that I shall bewail many which have sinned already, and have not repented of the uncleanness and fornication and lasciviousness which they have committed.
Notice here in the last
verse. Paul was going to be humbled for
the people’s transgressions. Because of
the people’s transgressions God was going to allow a special blending of Paul
right in front of them so that they could feed and receive edification through
Paul’s ministry, which at that time would have been to become a milkshake.
Understand that the
minister was going to suffer for the people’s rebellion. This concept is similar to Jesus suffering
for our rebellion (Romans 8:36). Just
like Jesus became bread and wine for the people a dissolved Paul, who told the
Corinthians earlier “be ye followers of me, even as I also am of Christ,” would become the people’s spiritual
nutrients/witness (Apostle Milkshake) so that the feeding frenzy of repentance
could begin. Let’s take a look at this
example from the book of Ezra.
Ezra 9:1-5
Now when these things were done, the princes came to
me, saying, The people of Israel, and the priests, and the Levites, have not
separated themselves from the people of the lands, doing according to their
abominations (sins), even of the Canaanites, the Hittites, the Perizzites, the
Jebusites, the Ammonites, the Moabites, the Egyptians, and the Amorites. For
they have taken of their daughters for themselves, and for their sons: so that
the holy seed have mingled themselves with the people of those lands: yea, the
hand of the princes and rulers hath been chief in this trespass. And when I heard this thing, I rent my garment and my mantle, and
plucked off the hair of my head and of my beard, and sat down astonied. Then were assembled unto me every one that
trembled at the words of the God of Israel, because of the transgression of
those that had been carried away; and I sat astonied until the evening
sacrifice. And at the evening sacrifice
I arose up from my heaviness; and
having rent my garment and my mantle, I fell upon my knees, and spread out my
hands unto the LORD my God,
Here the Priest Ezra has
humbled himself greatly because of the sin of the people. The Spirit of Christ, which was with/upon
Ezra (Numbers 14:24/11:17), became incredibly grieved over the people’s
transgressions. Basically this is the
same situation as Paul’s. Paul
symbolically stated that God would “humble me among you” (2 Corinthians 12:21). But what he really meant is that the
grievance of the Holy Spirit (Ephesians 4:30) would rest upon him because of
the sin of the people and that he would bemoan and wail the spirit’s grievance
upon him. This was the humbling Paul was
referring to and this is exactly what happened with Ezra. Notice what happened as a result of Ezra
humbling or grieving or bemoaning the people’s sins.
Ezra 10:1-4
Now when Ezra had prayed, and when he had confessed, weeping and casting himself down
before the house of God, there assembled unto him out of
The people repented. As soon as the Spirit upon Ezra was grieved
and as soon as Ezra decided to humble himself and back the Spirits grievance,
the Spirit of God’s conviction fell upon the people (John 16:8). It is also interesting to note what the
scriptures say regarding Ezra’s preparation for leading this particular people. The bible says that Ezra was a “ready scribe”
(Ezra 7:6). This word ready in the Greek
means, “Prepared.” Ezra was not only a
scribe who was established in God’s word, he was a “ready” or a prepared or
consecrated minister who had been specially prepared to dissolve for God’s
people. God indeed dissolved Ezra and
when the people received the fruits of this drink it led to repentance. This process is exactly what Paul said might
happen with him in
2 Corinthians 12:21
…And lest, when I come again, my God will humble me among you, and that I shall bewail many which have sinned already, and have not repented of the uncleanness and fornication and lasciviousness which they have committed.
Paul knew that if the
people of
The Two Purposes of Dissolving
This dissolving process allows
two major things to happen, and as you will see, these two things are summed up
quite nicely in scripture.
1
This process
allows the apostle to fulfill and grow within his ministry.
2
This process
creates edifying spiritual food for the people to receive.
2 Corinthians 12:15
…And I will very gladly
spend and be spent for you; though the more abundantly I love you, the less
I be loved.
This is the verse that we
are going to dissect and this is also the verse that began Paul’s discourse
regarding the humbling he might undergo as a result of the peoples
transgressions. Notice what Paul
says. He is ready to spend and be
spent.
Being Spent (The apostle fulfilling his ministry)
1
For Paul to be
brought low and to become humbled and to become an Apostle Milkshake because
of the peoples sins would symbolize him being spent (Apostle fulfilling his
ministry).
2
For Paul to be
brought low and to become humbled and to become an Apostle Milkshake so that
the people could see their own sinfulness would symbolize him spending
(people receiving spiritual food).
When you spend money on a
gift for someone then that benefit is for whom?
It’s not for your benefit; it’s for the person who is receiving the
gift. Paul was spending himself for the
people, for their benefit, that they might see their sinfulness. On the other hand, when Paul became spent
this was not for the people but was Paul’s obligation to God. If you were to say “I spent time at
this person’s house because there was a need,” then this was an obligation you
choose to undergo. You were spent
because you felt obligated and you felt there was a need. It’s the same thing with Paul’s potential
ministry at
I am going to use one last
example to emphasize this aspect of ministry in relation to the people
receiving (or the apostle’s spending of himself for the people). When Jesus Christ died for our sins two things
happened. He spent himself (obligation
to God the Father) and the people received the gleanings of what he did spend
(Himself – for the Salvation of the world – John 3:16, Romans 5:8, Isaiah 9:6-7). Here is an interesting question. When Jesus died on the cross, did he do it
for the world’s sins or because it was his Fathers will? If you really understand scripture then you
understand Jesus did not die primarily for the world’s sins, he died because it
was his Father’s will (Matthew 26:39, John 5:30, 4:34, 6:38, 8:25-29). It’s the same with Paul the apostle. For him to be spent, which was his obligation
to his entrusted ministry (Galatians 1:1, 1:9-10), was his primary obligation
and duty. The gleanings the church would
receive would be the result of what he did spend but his primary purpose and
obligation was to minister unto God (1 Samuel 3:1, 2 Timothy 4:8). Let’s take a look at the latter end of the
verse.
2 Corinthians 12:15
…And I will very gladly spend and be spent for you; though the more abundantly I love you, the
less I be loved.
This is what Paul
said. The more abundantly I love you,
the less I be loved. This verse could rightly
be translated, the more abundantly I love you, the less I am appreciated… but
still, what does this verse mean? Well,
let’s compare it to Jesus dying on the cross.
When Jesus suffered and died on the cross, did man appreciate him at
that exact moment? No, In fact man hurled insults at him and mocked him
(Matthew 27:39-44, Mark 15:29-32, Luke 23:35-37). At the exact moment Jesus was in
Galatians 4:16
Am I therefore become your enemy, because I tell you the truth?
Many times when Paul the apostle
would shine his light brightly (love the people by abiding in and preaching the
consecrated truth) they would not welcome it (the truth) or him (his sacrifice)
with open arms. This is simply because
man is exceedingly sinful and when faced with a greater revelation of God will
almost always rebel. But that is
okay. This is precisely why God has
called the apostle to become a dissolved milkshake for the people, because of
the revelation they understand and bring (2 Corinthians 12:7-21). I will now explain how this dissolving process
will lead to spiritual edification for the people.
Spending (Edification for the people)
The second purpose or benefit that comes as a result of the apostle becoming dissolved into an Apostle Milkshake is that the people receive something spiritual to digest. You might say, “I understand the process and how an apostle is dissolved for the people to drink, but I am still confused regarding the process and why it is necessary?” You need to look at it from an edifying/spiritual standpoint. The milkshake is created so the people can become edified (spiritually built up). It is a very difficult process to become a milkshake. It is a process God requires foremost of the apostle for the edification of the Church (1 Corinthians 4:9-13). This is actually a required calling for the apostle (2 Corinthians 12:15). You might say, “Okay, so why of an apostle but not of other Christians, it seems like this is a humbling process everyone should go through?” Every Christian goes through this type of humbling to a degree. But because the apostle’s have been given the leverage and authority into the spiritual realms and are accountable toward the spiritual administrative duties of the church, and it is them, by and large, when they yield this authority for edification because of their knowledge within the mystery of Christ, that give God something to offer to the people. Basically this portion (or cup, Matthew 20:22-23, 26:39) becomes the apostles burden, because an apostle abides within the mystery of Christ, and they have learned (Ephesians 3:3-4), for edification purposes, how to become a more complete milkshake for the people… and also why a milkshake is so desperately needed. You might ask, “How have they learned a milkshake is needed, or even how to become a more complete milkshake for the people?” Because the apostle has learned how important it is for them to dissolve (die, 1 Corinthians 15:31, 2 Corinthians 12:7-21).
2 Corinthians 10:1, 10:8-13, 13:10
Now I Paul myself beseech you by the meekness and gentleness of Christ, who in presence am base among you, but being absent am bold toward you…For though I should boast somewhat more of our authority, which the Lord hath given us for edification, and not for your destruction, I should not be ashamed: That I may not seem as if I would terrify you by letters. For his letters, say they, are weighty and powerful; but his bodily presence is weak, and his speech contemptible. Let such an one think this, that, such as we are in word by letters when we are absent, such will we be also in deed when we are present. For we dare not make ourselves of the number, or compare ourselves with some that commend themselves: but they measuring themselves by themselves, and comparing themselves among themselves, are not wise. But we will not boast of things without our measure, but according to the measure of the rule which God hath distributed to us, a measure to reach even unto you (Ephesians 3:1-9).
Therefore I write these things being absent, lest being
present I should use sharpness, according to the power which the Lord hath
given me to edification, and not to destruction.
1 Corinthians 4:14,18-21
I write not these things to shame you, but as my beloved
sons I warn you… Now some are puffed up, as though I would not come to you. But
I will come to you shortly, if the Lord will, and will know, not the speech of
them which are puffed up, but the power. For the
1 Thessalonians 2:6-7
Nor of men sought we glory, neither of you, nor yet of others, when we might have been burdensome, as the apostles of Christ. But we were gentle among you, even as a nurse cherisheth her children:
What needs to be
understood first and foremost is that an apostle has been trained how to become
an efficient milkshake for the edifying of the body of Christ (2 Corinthians
10:6). Because they learn and abide
within the revelation of the mystery of Christ, who alone became the grand
milkshake for us all (1 Corinthians 10:17), they have been taught (Galatians
1:12) how to yield up their authority for edification. Notice in the verses above Paul was saying to
the Church that he indeed had the authority of Christ (An apostle’s authority
over the church) but that he would only use this authority for
edification. About 99% of the apostle
becoming a milkshake is the apostle yielding up his authority for edification
purposes. You might ask, “What do you
mean, yield up?” Basically the apostle,
very wisely, gives up his rights and the authority he has been granted in
Christ so that others might see and learn that he indeed has become a servant
of all (Judges 8:1-3). It is like a
restaurant owner who has been given full authority over the entire staff. He sees the staff is discontent and
complaining. But rather than using his
authority as an owner, he instead decides to take the lowliest job in the
restaurant for a long duration… perhaps a dishwasher or a busboy. You see, he leads by example. Once the staff watches and sees that the
owner is content in his place, working hard and not complaining, it becomes harder
for them to complain. But there is
another blessing in choosing thus. His
decision will ultimately inspire them all.
Make no mistake about it,
Paul had good reason to be upset with the church (just like that restaurant
owner had good reason to become upset).
The above scriptures even bear witness to Paul’s frustrations of
wrongdoing. But… had he just shown up
with his rod and started beating everybody, then his methods would not have
inspired anyone, and more importantly, the process would not be honored by
Christ’s Spirit at all (Ephesians 4:30).
Luke 22:24-26
And there was also a strife among them, which of them
should be accounted the greatest. And he
(Jesus) said unto them, The kings of the Gentiles exercise lordship over them;
and they that exercise authority upon them are called benefactors. But ye shall not be so: but he that is
greatest among you, let him be as the younger; and he that is chief, as he that
doth serve.
John 13:13-15
Ye call me Master and Lord: and ye say well; for so I am.
If I then, your Lord and Master, have washed your feet; ye also ought to wash
one another's feet.
For I have given you an example, that ye
should do as I have done to you.
Edification comes when two
things happen. When the truth is mingled
with the right kind of
witness.
Paul had the truth on his side but if he came to the people as a
disciplinarian instead of as an obedient Christ-like servant then the people would
not have been edified (the Holy Spirit would not have honored his labor). Edifying happens when the people learn what
they need to learn by the right kind of witness. Paul, in his very respectable
wisdom, was patient with the people, giving the Holy Spirit a chance to work on
their hearts and giving the people ample time to see their own sinfulness
without forcing the rod of correction upon them. Paul knew if a people were given time to see
their own sinfulness separate from his rod of correction, then this would
result in the people repenting out of a conscious understanding that they had
indeed sinned. The Holy Spirit, in their
conscience, baring witness to that sin.
If Paul had ignorantly used his rod of correction immediately, and the
people had repented as a result, then their repentance would not have been the
result of a conscious understanding of their sinfulness (via the Holy Spirit) but
as the result of Paul’s forced humbling.
In essence, the people would never learn effectively because instead of
learning to heed the Holy Spirit’s conviction in their hearts (Ezra 10:1-4),
and then consequently humbling themselves as a result of that conviction, the
people would immediately become reliant upon Paul’s rod of humbling (and they
would play dumb in the future – perhaps even building more walls so they could
not see). The people would never learn
how to accuse or examine themselves within the faith (2 Corinthians 13:5, 1
Corinthians 9:27, ). This ignorant use of power would bring no
edification to the people of God. Please
don’t misunderstand, sometimes the rod is necessary, but an apostle who is
exercised in the Spirit of Christ has gained (Galatians 5:22-26, Ecclesiastes
3:10) a servant like heart to know exactly when to use this authority and for
what reasons (2 Corinthians 10:1, 10:8-13).
I have examined the entire New Testament, and I have found that it was
an apostle’s last resort or desire to use the rod of correction on his fellow
brethren.
There are two more verses
of scripture I would like to compare and contrast in order to solidify the
validity of this interpretation.
2 Corinthians 13:9-10
For we are glad, when
we are weak, and ye are strong: and this also we wish, even your perfection. Therefore I write these things being absent,
lest being present I should use sharpness, according to the power which the
Lord hath given me to edification, and not to destruction.
John 3:27-30
John answered and said, A man can receive nothing, except
it be given him from heaven. Ye yourselves bear me witness, that I said, I am
not the Christ, but that I am sent before him. He that hath the bride is the
bridegroom: but the friend of the bridegroom, which standeth and heareth him,
rejoiceth greatly because of the bridegroom's voice: this my joy therefore is fulfilled. He must increase, but I must
decrease.
It was the Spirit of
Christ that created within Paul the apostle and John the Baptist the desire for
others to increase and receive glory while at the same time their importance
and their glory would decrease. On a
very symbolic scale this has everything to do with the fact that John the
Baptist and Paul the apostle were totally secure with who they were in God (1
Corinthians 4:3, Mark 9:50) but on a very realistic scale it had everything to
do with the overall plan of Christ. We
are all here to help others believe in their Christ ordained bodily function
(ministries) (1 Corinthians 12:25). Once
an apostle becomes so strong and so secure and so confident with who he is in
Christ, then it becomes their time to die so that others can feed from their
witness, testimony and faith (their deposit, Matthew 25:14-30). Paul understood this. He took one look at the church and understood
his dissolving was their lifeline. His
faith would be their strength and his ministry would become their food (1 Corinthians
11:1). Paul knew the only way to turn
his testimony into spiritual food for the people would be by decreasing,
becoming weak and dying daily (becoming an Apostle Milkshake). Take a look again at what Paul said…
…For we are glad, when we are weak, and ye are strong: and this also we wish, even your perfection.
Paul was saying, “We have
no problem yielding up our authority for your edification, so long as you
become perfect. We will suffer with you,
we will be patient with you (James 5:10-11), we will tell you just the right things
at just the right times (Isaiah 50:4, Proverbs 15:23), we will decrease for you…
all for edification and all that you might learn to live, perfectly unto
God.” Paul had no problem becoming an
Apostle Milkshake (a sacrifice) so that the people could have strength to live
unto God. This was Paul’s sacrifice
(Colossians 1:24), this was Paul’s commitment to Christ (2 Corinthians 1:5-6)
and this was his duty as a minister of the Gospel (1 Corinthians 9:18-23). But the only way for Paul to become an Apostle
Milkshake was for him to learn, through the revelation of God (2 Corinthians 12:7-21),
that he needed to become food for the people.
The edification that came as a result of the correct authority within
Paul’s judgment taught him to understand exactly when to increase and when to
decrease. Paul was able to become an
Apostle Milkshake because he knew exactly when to die and when to abide, when
to yield up authority and when to reserve the right to exercise judgment, when
to forbear and when to council. All of
this Godly wisdom was learned as he abode within the revelation of the mystery
of Christ (Ephesians 3:1-9). This Godly
wisdom eventually became the people’s edification and not their
destruction. Paul learned how to be
blended, how to be poured out, and how to be consumed all so that the people
would be nourished and so that edification would come to the church
(Philippians 4:11-13). It takes more
than just a willing heart; it takes a sacrifice (Philippians 2:17), a
commitment (2 Peter 4:19), a steadfastness (2 Corinthians 1:7), an endurance (2
Timothy 2:10), a God given ministry (Galatians 1:11-12, John 3:30), all in
order that an apostle might one day learn to abide within the revelation of the
mystery of Christ and become beneficial as an Apostle Milkshake. This is what Paul fought for (1 Corinthians
9:22-27), and because of his endurance and faithfulness… the church became
greatly edified, blessed and enriched by his deposit (Matthew 25:14-30).