14-16I'm not writing all this as a neighborhood scold just to make you feel rotten. I'm writing as a father to you, my children. I love you and want you to grow up well, not spoiled. There are a lot of people around who can't wait to tell you what you've done wrong, but there aren't many fathers willing to take the time and effort to help you grow up. It was as Jesus helped me proclaim God's Message to you that I became your father. I'm not, you know, asking you to do anything I'm not already doing myself. (The Message)
When someone asks me if they might be able to give me some constructive criticism my first tendency is to say NO! Now I usually don't follow through with that response but it is still there inside of me. The reason I respond that way is that the constructive criticism usually looks a lot like, "You are doing things different than I would and if you would change your ways then I would like you better." The problem with criticism is that we end up wondering if the person giving the feedback has our best interests in mind or their own.
Paul is telling the Corinthians up front that he loves them and this is the only reason why he is telling them these hard things. He wants them to know Jesus fully the way that he does. He knows that they could tune him out and not pay attention to his words of correction but he knows that would only make things worse. So he points to his own life as the example and shows that what he is telling them is what he is already doing.
Some thoughts to ponder and share with others:
- How do you think the people of Corinth first heard these words of correction from Paul?
- Would you rather give correction or receive it? Why?
- Who do pay attention to that gives you constructive criticism and why?
- Is there someone you might seek out that has your best interests in mind that could help you see your life and faith in a new way?
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