Just Who is Acting Like Korah Around Here, Part 4

This post will wrap up the Korah series.   Earlier, I highlighted some "Korah" comments in the comment section.   The commenter identified as "Korah" and I made light of the Korah reference.   I want to give a little background to that situation. 

I know who "Korah" is and know what this particular family experienced.  When they were accused of Korah-like behavior, it hit them to the core.  There were many tears, many "what ifs", many questions.  There was much deep reflection and soul searching to see if there was sin on their part, looking back on things that were said, not said, etc.  These people are godly people who have hearts of gold.  When questions were asked of the pastor - it was done for the sake of the body, not for themselves.  It was commonly known that if the pastor was challenged, there could be repercussions.  They sacrificed much and took the risk to try to protect the body and there was a cost involved.  When you are brought down low, physically, spiritually, and emotionally, by words from someone you trusted and respected to be a man of God, those words can sting and sting deeply.

Now after all of these years, things have become much more clear.  When piecing together things, we discovered that Chuck recycled poor Korah's name from at least 2007-2009.  Chuck was infamous for repetitious sermons and he obviously recycled his Korah diatribe on a number of people to wield his authority and threaten when they questioned him.  

Once we saw the pattern and realized others were also called Korah for the same offenses, the sting no longer had power.  His pattern was laughable.  That is why we are able to make light of it now.  We can picture him pushing the "Korah" button whenever he felt threatened. It really was not a sign of strength to use and reuse the same Korah story over and over again against people who asked legitimate questions.   It was a sign of weakness.    As we have dissected the blog posts/letters/words over and over, the war-like words used to condemn people have become meaningless to us.  The combative tone and typing in all-caps shows weakness, not strength.  However, for those still in his fold, we still pray they will see the truth and be free from this anti-shepherd.

It's very likely that using the Korah scripture in this spiritually abusive fashion was far more than we are aware of.  If you have ever been accused of having Korah-like behavior, of having the sin of Korah, or being a spiritual descendant of Korah, you are in good company.  You may have retreated privately - and maybe in shame.  Some might still be sitting in the pews at BGBC.  Others left quietly realizing that there would be no reckoning with a man like this.   There is one aspect that is very clear and must be acknowledged:  those of you who were recipients of the Korah message were defending the faith.  Standing for the truth was not the easiest path to take.  The sacrifice was real:   loss of job,  title or position, life-long friends, and church, heart ache, loss of sleep, challenge of faith, etc.    You were not being divisive, nor did you usurp his authority.  That authority which was proclaimed was false authority.  You stood up to him, you questioned, you called him out just as the Bible commanded you to do.  You sacrificed much and you deserve our thanks.  You will be rewarded. 

Rejoice and be glad, because great is your reward in heaven, for in the same way they persecuted the prophets who were before you.  Matthew 5:12

Read these verses on false teachers our responsibility in dealing with false teachers:

Jude 1:3-4
 Beloved, although I was very eager to write to you about our common salvation, I found it necessary to write appealing to you to contend for the faith that was once for all delivered to the saints. ⁴ For certain people have crept in unnoticed who long ago were designated for this condemnation, ungodly people, who pervert the grace of our God into sensuality and deny our only Master and Lord, Jesus Christ.

and

vs 17-22

 But you must remember, beloved, the predictions of the apostles of our Lord Jesus Christ. ¹⁸ They said to you, “In the last time there will be scoffers, following their own ungodly passions.” ¹⁹ It is these who cause divisions, worldly people, devoid of the Spirit. ²⁰ But you, beloved, building yourselves up in your most holy faith and praying in the Holy Spirit, ²¹ keep yourselves in the love of God, waiting for the mercy of our Lord Jesus Christ that leads to eternal life. ²² And have mercy on those who doubt; ²³ save others by snatching them out of the fire; to others show mercy with fear, hating even the garment stained by the flesh.

Admin note:  This is a 4-part series:

Just Who is Acting Like Korah Around Here?, Part 1
Just Who is Acting Like Korah Around Here?, Part 2
Just Who is Acting Like Korah Around Here?, Part 3
Just Who is Acting Like Korah Around Here, Part 4