Soundbites from 2 Corinthians: Truth not Deception

'we do not use deception, nor do we distort the word of God. On the contrary, by setting forth the truth plainly we commend ourselves to every man's conscience in the sight of God.' 2 Corinthians 4:2

What a challenge this verse is! How often, in conversations with work mates or family, do we try to 'cover up' the bits in the Bible we find difficult or that we know they will find offensive? Do we only give them half the picture, talking about God's love and never His judgement? Paul's letter to the Corinthians has much to teach us about genuine gospel ministry. Paul was being compared to so-called 'super apostles' and showy men who were more impressive with their speeches, and yet preached a different gospel. He makes a genuine defence in this letter that he is the real deal! He has been faithful to God's truth in the gospel, and he has not used deception in order to pander to his audience.

Paul had to tell the Corinthians some hard truths. Many of them were from a totally pagan background, and he had to call them to repent from their sinful ways in order to enter genuine relationship with God. In 1 Corinthians 6 he wrote:

'Do not be deceived: Neither the sexually immoral nor idolaters nor adulterers nor men who have sex with men nor thieves nor the greedy nor drunkards nor slanderers nor swindlers will inherit the kingdom of God. And that is what some of you were. But you were washed, you were sanctified, you were justified in the name of the Lord Jesus Christ and by the Spirit of our God.'

Paul did not simply tell the Corinthians about God's love for them in Christ; he also taught them that genuine faith was always accompanied by genuine repentance from former ways of living that were against God. Note his phrase 'Do not be deceived'. Perhaps some false teachers were telling the Corinthians that they could live however they wanted to- it didn't matter to God. Sometimes it's easy to leave out of our gospel presentations that God calls for His people to live holy lives that stand out from the crowd. But we have to give people the full picture. We can't pretend that the Christian life is easy- it's not! It's a struggle against our own desires, particularly if in the past we've been used to living how we wanted to.

But here's the point: if we don't set forth the truth plainly, we actually lose our impact as Christians. Why would anyone see the need to be a Christian and trust in Christ, if they feel they are 'good enough' by themselves? Without the whole gospel, we end up with no gospel at all. We need to remember that we will stand before God one day and give an account for how we have represented Him and His message to the people around us.

Ananias and Sapphira

The story of Ananias and Sapphira stands out in the New Testament as a terrifying example of God's judgment. The story is found in Acts 5, in the context of the community of early Christians coming together and not regarding their possessions as their own. Barnabas (who becomes notable later on in the book for his generosity and encouragement of other Christians, living up to the meaning of his name) sells a field and brings the whole amount of money before the apostles to use to help the poor and needy amongst them. Ananias and Sapphira sell some property and keep some of the money back, but in laying it before the apostles they essentially pretend they are giving the whole amount.

'Then Peter said, "Ananias, how is it that Satan has so filled your heart that you have lied to the Holy Spirit and have kept for yourself some of the money you received for the land? Didn't it belong to you before it was sold? And after it was sold, wasn't the money at your disposal? What made you think of doing such a thing? You have not lied to men but to God."

When Ananias heard this, he fell down and died. And great fear seized all who heard what had happened. Then the young men came forward, wrapped up his body, and carried him out and buried him.'

Peter, with supernatural knowledge, condemns Ananias- not for keeping money but for lying and trying to deceive the apostles. As God's representatives, such an offence against the apostles was basically against God Himself. That's why Peter says they have 'lied to the Holy Spirit'.

This is a terrible thing, and Ananias falls down dead in what seems to be shock and punishment from God. Then the story continues, as his wife (unaware that her husband has died and been buried) enters the scene.

'About three hours later his wife came in, not knowing what had happened. Peter asked her, "Tell me, is this the price you and Ananias got for the land?"
"Yes," she said, "that is the price."

Peter said to her, "How could you agree to test the Spirit of the Lord? Look! The feet of the men who buried your husband are at the door, and they will carry you out also."

At that moment she fell down at his feet and died. Then the young men came in and, finding her dead, carried her out and buried her beside her husband. Great fear seized the whole church and all who heard about these events.

Sapphira is given the chance to repent, but she does not. She lies about the amount of money that they gave the apostles, and Peter says they have agreed to 'test the Spirit of the Lord'. Perhaps they wanted to see how much they could get away with. Their attitude was sinful and brought God's judgment upon them in an obvious way that terrified everyone around them.

What does this episode teach us?

Firstly, the sinfulness of sin. Disobedience to God, trying to go our own way, is offensive to Him and ultimately leads to our destruction.

Secondly, you can't hide from God. He sees all the thoughts of our hearts and we cannot escape His judgment upon our sin through hiding as Adam and Eve tried to do. Only through clinging to Jesus' sacrifice for us on the cross can we be forgiven.

Thirdly, the church is always under attack. In Acts, the early church was opposed by external powers (the Sanhedrin, for example) and this story shows us that opposition came from inside the church, too. Satan is at work to try to destroy the work of God's kingdom, but he is a defeated enemy! This story shows God's powerful control and protection of His church, which is testified to by the course of history. The church has prevailed despite multiple attacks from within and outside.