Paul's kick in the groin
Wow - I would not want to get this letter from Paul if he was my pastor. He's pretty upset with the arrogance of these people in Corinth and wants them to get that in no uncertain terms he expects them to live as a Christ follower by the example he showed them. In fact he's so serious - he's going to send his disciple Timothy to make sure they do it. Some of them think Paul wont come back and make sure they live right. He sort of lay's down the gauntlet - how do you want to be treated when I get there.
Following Christ is the goal. Not some man. Not a teacher. The Corinthians were all wrapped up in image. Paul said he was homeless and wore rags. (makes me feel unworthy to be a pastor). I love how he says he hopes they really were kings so he could share in their kingdom. Of course they were so arrogant they wouldn't have helped him. At the end of this he basically says - I'll come up and open a can on you myself if thats what you want.
Tough love from a pastor is hard to take. Sometimes its hard to give it out too. But if the goal is that we all follow Christ together then the hard tough words have to be said - and received - or we are just playing games.
Created over 2 years ago
