And the letter continues…..

As you remember, Paul is trying to get the attention of the newest members of the church in Corinth….He’s reminded them that God’s word is not the new trend on the block, but an old message that arrived long before the parishioners were on the scene. Even today, we hear newcomers preach as though they new the final hour….they didn’t in 57 AD and they don’t now. Paul goes on to say only God knows what is ahead, what the big plans are….He does say that God has offered us salvation and true happiness here thru his son, Jesus.

And then…..he reiterates…..that they are new to Christianity and in truth, infants when it comes to this spirit. The temptation to become absorbed in one’s self caused problems then, as it does now…Guess ‘holier than thou’ has been around for a long time, hasn’t it…..

The Corinth congregations needed to review their relationships with one another, and to agree to work and live in peace and harmony. Accomplishments needed to become a united effort in the new churches, instead of working against each other…and Paul was trying to get that point across. There is always that time of reckoning, Paul said, and the people needed remember God has already given them and us everything we needed, as a gift.

Chapter 4 doesn’t let up….He sure didn’t like the attitude of some of his own converts…and said some were self-important, haughty, and even boastful. He told them that self-restraint was something they should consider….and that it was, for sure, destined to be God’s way, and not theirs.

Being a Christin in those days was not a win-win situation. There were plenty of other beliefs that people liked better, and Paul and his buddies were definitely ‘thrown under the bus’ on a number of occasions. They didn’t let that stop them tho…they kept up the pace and always seemed to have room for blessing those who had just berated them.

Then….Paul must have sit back a little, re-read what he just penned and said the following….I’m writing to you as a father..I really care about you. I know there is a line of people ready to tell you what you’ve done wrong every day, but I don’t want to be a father who just scolds. I want to help you understand, to explain once again what is expected, so you can get those ducks in a row. Jesus helped me, and now I’m helping you. Get off the soap box, re-unite your church, think of those less fortunate,and guide those in your parish who are not following our teachings. If they are engaging in unacceptable ways, be God’s guide, his representative, and a father to those who,deep down inside, yearn to confess and go forward.

And so it goes….in 57 AD