Transforming Themselves

Read 2 Corinthians 11:12-15; John 10:1,2,12


"But what I do, I will also continue to do, that I may cut off the opportunity from those who desire an opportunity to be regarded just as we are in the things of which we boast. For such are false apostles, deceitful workers, transforming themselves into apostles of Christ. And no wonder! For Satan himself transforms himself into an angel of light. Therefore it is no great thing if his ministers also transform themselves into ministers of righteousness, whose end will be according to their works."

The context of this passage of scripture indicates what Paul, in Christ Jesus, was willing to do for the Corinthian church to break them free from their carnality. He was acting as a minister of transformation, compelled by THE minister of transformation, Jesus Christ.

"Most assuredly, I say unto you, he who does not enter the sheepfold by the door, but climbs up another way, the same is a thief and a robber. But he who enters BY THE DOOR IS THE SHEPHERD of the sheep." Jesus goes on to say that He is the door of the sheep. He says that a hireling, who is not the shepherd (or not sent out from the Shepherd, like Paul) abandons the sheep when trouble comes. Paul didn't abandon the sheep in Corinth - instead he laid his life down for them, just like his Master did for all men.

How did Paul go from one who persecuted believers to one who laid down his life for the sheep? He turned over his reign of his life to Jesus Christ. He trusted Him as He transformed him. In all his ways he acknowledged the King of Righteousness. False apostles were presenting themselves to the Corinthian church. They had a form of godliness but lacked the power thereof. They transformed themselves, and presented themselves as ministers of righteousness. Their end, Paul said, would be "according to their works". Beware of these, Jesus said (Matthew 7:15,16), as they come in sheep's clothing but inwardly they are ravenous wolves. He said we will know them by their fruits! Ministers who transform themselves inevitably produce after their own kind- fruitless or relatively unfruitful disciples!

We are individually unable to transform ourselves. It must be in and through Him. As we allow Him, he replaces selfish carnality with selfless spirituality. Transformation in/through Him produces fruit that His creation has been designed to partake of.