Friday, April 11, 2008

Angel of Light

“For such people are false apostles, deceitful workers, disguising themselves as apostles of Christ. And no wonder! For Satan himself is disguised as an angel of light. So it is no great thing if his servants also disguise themselves as servants of righteousness. Their destiny will be according to their works.” (2 Corinthians 11:13-15 CSB)

Who are the “people” Paul is talking about in the verse above? He refers to them earlier as “super-apostles.” These were folks who presented themselves to churches as apostles of Christ, as having a greater enlightenment than Paul, Apollos, Barnabas, Peter, and other apostles. These were deceitful men who were preying upon the churches, wielding influence on the churches, and obtaining financial resources from the churches. In Paul’s view, these men were not genuine Christians to begin with and were certainly not genuine apostles, much less “super” apostles.

Paul noted that these men were following their true leader, Satan, and employing his same strategy. Satan does not present himself as some dark and sinister lord of the murky depths of darkness. That would tend to not influence very many people. Rather, he presents himself as fully enlightened, and seeks to influence people to follow ways he presents as enlightened. He disguises himself, masquerading as an angel of light, so that he can lead people away from God, Whom he hates. Elsewhere, Paul says that we are “not unaware of his [Satan’s] schemes.”

Jesus is the Light of the world. Jesus is Lord. He is the Son of God. While on earth He was God incarnate. Those who proclaim the true light are those who proclaim that Jesus is God, the Lord, and that He alone is the Way to the Father. To Him belongs the kingdom. The word of God, the Bible, honors Him, and He honors His word. Anyone who purports to represent the light of God will always point to Jesus Christ, crucified, buried, and raised from the dead.

Lord, Keep us from all deceit, and help us to follow You and the light You give, that You may be honored and glorified. Amen.

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