What Do You Prefer?

"For the kingdom of God is not a matter of talk but of power. What do you prefer? Shall I come to you with a whip, or in love and with a gentle spirit?" 1 Corinthians 4:20-21

In these two verses, Paul makes a statement of principle, then gives the Corinthians a choice and then tells them what the two choices are. The statement of principle is clear. Powerful talk without powerful actions is not very powerful. Additionally the power really comes from the principle of the action not just the mere words. In the preceding verses Paul is addressing the issue of arrogance and the presumption that Paul would not come to Corinth in person. So Paul tells them he is indeed coming in person. He has said already that he is sending Timothy and that they should listen because Timothy will remind them that Paul's words and actions match. What Paul is driving at is exemplary living vs. hypocrisy and that those who talk should also be better examples. There seems to be a gap in what the Corinthians say and do or even teach and do.

This is one of the most difficult of the conundrums that Christians face. Our words are often more intense, more promissory, more serious than our actions. We are prone to exaggerate with our words what we will actually follow up with our actions. We talk a good walk and we must be more disciplined and walk the talk. So Paul says that he and Timothy do walk the talk and that he expects the Corinthians to step up spiritually and follow through on what they are taught. Sounds like he is including the teachers, too. We can sure talk a stronger faith than we can live. Also, we seem to be able to give one another strong talk without much role modeling.

So Paul gives two choices of how he should come and straighten things out. Do you want encouragement or discipline. Do you want a loving gentle spirit of reminding or a whip and clean house. He really wants them to listen to Timothy and choose the gentler way without him needing to come with the whip. Not a literal whip, but probably a severe tongue lashing. You know, sometimes we just don't learn the easy way. Sometimes we need an extreme lesson to match our extreme self-focus or extreme resistance to the leading of the Spirit. In the Corinthian church they were so emotionally driven, believing everything they heard without comparing it to the core teaching of the Apostles. They also liked to have their have their ears tickled and started to rank the teachers and compare everyone and pick and choose what they liked and did not like about the teaching. Such an atmosphere concerned Paul, so he makes a threat, or should we say promise to encourage them not to just give lip service to change but to actually search their hearts and change.

The verses in full context begin with 'arrogance' being Paul's major concern. Arrogant; meaning full of themselves, prideful and haughty, elitist and 'know it all' in their attitudes. This attitude does not promote love or a gentle spirit and often needs a whip of righteousness to drive it out. When we individually or corporately get to the point that we are always right or have special access to God's will or special position or special inside information, correction is needed. God always is willing to reorder everything so He is at the top and we are all equally humbled under Him. So today let us learn the easy way. Let us receive the nurture and admonition of the Lord so we do not need the 'tongue lashing' that could be necessary if we don't listen to Him. Only humbleness is a cure for arrogance.

My experience has been that most of this kind of behavior is not evil. It is just selfish and short-sighted. When we get ourselves to a place where we can be O.K. with whatever the Lord is doing, that is a good beginning. And remember, to begin with, we may not know exactly what His will may be. We will close this devotional with the original principle and question. "The kingdom of God is not just a matter or talk but of power." Let that roll around in your head a few times. As I considered the principle more and more I decided more clearly what it was that I preferred. I prefer love and a gentle spirit. Dear Lord, instruct me and us to know your will and leading individually and corporately. So I shall leave it at that and hope you join me.

In His Service with you,
Pastor Fred

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