I Corinthians 4- Like Father, Like Son

Today in Sunday School, we finished up the 4th chapter of I Corinthians- we are now 25% of the way through the letter. This section, from vs 14 to 21, is the conclusion of Paul's dealing with the first problem in Corinth- the factions where one says "I'm of Paul", another "I'm of Apollos", etc.

The subject of the class is a bit odd, given that today is Mother's Day. Another odd thing, is how the class itself ended up. I had planned to discuss the six points of Paul's fatherhood from this section. However, very early in the class, I felt a different call- a call to turn the scriptures around and talk about our opportunities to be spiritual fathers and mothers to those around us. Was it a message that we needed to hear?

I feel very strongly about this. Paul says to the Corinthian believers "I urge you to imitate me" in vs 16 of the chapter. What better way to imitate Paul than to take on the role of a loving, caring parent to those younger in the faith than we are, just like he does!

There are two topics related to our spiritual parenthood, that I'd like to go into in a bit more detail, based on comments I had after the class. They are on opposite ends of the spectrum.

The first topic has to do with one of the most difficult and trying parts of parenthood- correction and discipline. Notice that Paul talks about it in three ways, and there appears to be a progression- first is the admonition or warning. Next comes the urging or pleading. Finally, the discipline, if necessary. In our relationship with other Christians, seldom do we warn or plead, and almost never discipline.

Why is this?

Let me count the ways!

"It's none of my business."
"I shouldn't judge."
"They won't like me."
"It's too hard."
"That's the pastor's job."

And the favorite "Who am I to correct? I'm a failure myself."

If we use Paul's metaphor of the parent/child relationship, I think we can gain insight and confidence to remove some of these reasons and provide a real service to another Christian.

So put on your parent hat and think about your role and responsibilities as a father or mother to your child. Are you perfect? Nope. Do you make mistakes? Yep. Do you sometimes say one thing and do another? Uh huh. Do you sometimes correct your child for behaviors that they've copied from you??? Oh boy...like father, like son...

Get the picture?

But do these failings and inconsistencies mean that we somehow lose our responsibility as parents? Are we no longer longer able to warn them, urge them, or discipline them?

Picture this. Your child runs towards a busy street as you look on silently. A neighbor sees your child and rushes over to pull her from harms way. The neighbor turns to you with an angry look and says "Didn't you see your daughter run towards that street! Why didn't you do anything to save her???"

Your response "Well, see, yesterday, I got in an argument with my wife and I sorta lost my temper and raised my voice and things got out of control. And, well, I said some things that I shouldn't. And my daughter was right there to see the whole thing. Since I've made such a terrible mistake, I just don't feel its my place to correct her in these situations."

A silly, unrealistic example.

Or is it?

We use it all the time with our spiritual family.

So let's stop doing that and take on the role that God wants for us. If there's sin in our life, let's deal with it and stop using it as an excuse to not help someone rushing toward a busy street.


The second topic is the polar opposite. Forcing a role without a relationship. Think about that for a minute-

Forcing a role without a relationship.

Have you ever had someone you barely know give you correction? I find it irritating. I've had experience with a couple of people who've insisted from the moment I met them that their role in life is to fix all my problems. You've met people like this. They love to point out all the things people around them are doing wrong.

Most of us don't take this type of "help" very graciously. That's when we respond, either silently or verbally "who do YOU think you are, telling me what to do."

When I was in high school, back in the Stone Age when basketball players wore real shorts and most of Lynyrd Skynyrd was still alive, there was a character that everyone called "Cappy". Cappy was always in trouble and many tried to correct his wayward path. Cappy had a standard response to any type of correction or discipline, whether from a teacher or another student. He'd turn, glare the person right in the eye, screw up has face and yell out at the top of his lungs:

"You ain't my mother!!"

Forcing a role without a relationship.

In our zealousness to become spiritual fathers and mothers, let's make sure we develop the relationship first. Paul goes right back to that very thing in vs 14 and 15. He calls them "dear children" and he CAN, because he was the one that led them to Christ. He spent time with them. He talked, he reasoned, he shared his life with them. He discipled them, he taught them, he loved them. Now he has the relationship that gives him the credibility assume the role of warning, urging, and possibly disciplining.

I urge you then- ask God to give you a burden for someone that you know, that God would give you someone to mentor, to be an example for, to love and to guide in their Christian walk. Spend time with that person. Develop a relationship with them. Want the absolute best for them. And as time goes on, be prepared to warn, to urge, to discipline, to stop them from dashing into a busy street.

Let me know your thoughts or comments on this topic. Has someone been a spiritual father or mother to you?

Eric

PS-

And that 1967 anti-smoking commercial I described today? Click on the picture below and have a look: