Tag Archives: 1 Corinthians 11

The battle for who’s right

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There was discord and disagreement.  A battle over whose voice would prevail. Finger pointing and plenty of blame to go around. Who’s right and who’s wrong. Words that should have been left unsaid were spoken in frustration and anger. It seemed everyone was keeping score. Does it sound like a political debate? Or a recent business meeting, or maybe a family gathering?  It seems that wherever two or three gather together there is room for disagreement. Everyone wants to be heard. Truthfully, we’d all like to have it our way.

 

It’s a scene that has been played out to various degrees over the centuries and is plenty common today in our communities, our businesses, our homes, and sometimes even in our churches. It was the situation when Paul was writing the church in Corinth (1 Corinthians 11). There were disagreements over whether men and women should cover their heads or not, disagreements over the length of hair, even disagreements when they came together to commemorate the Lord’s Supper. Paul reprimanded them for their divisive behaviors, offering really good counsel – for them – and for us today:

 

Everyone ought to examine themselves… (V 28)

 

What does examining ourselves do to a disagreement? Examining ourselves checks our motives. Do we want to understand the other person as much as we want to be understood? Are we seeking a wise and just resolution to the problem or do we just want to be right? Is it our intent to build understanding or to attack? Are we interested in peace or just giving someone a piece of our mind? (Be careful, we all only have so many pieces!)

 

Examining ourselves also checks our behaviors. I spent decades of my life working in crisis deescalation situations. One of the key lessons learned was to examine our own body language: our posture, our muscle tension (relaxed, not clenched), our tone of voice, facial expression, and words. The louder the other person became, the softer we would speak. Examining our behavior defuses a fueled situation. It speaks calm and compassion, first to ourselves and then to others. It’s one thing to be firm and stand our ground and quite another to belittle another person.

 

While examining ourselves is a practical and helpful discipline toward resolving disagreement, there’s an even more effective approach. Jesus said that wherever two or three gather together in his name, he would be there also. Jesus, with his authority, grace, wisdom, love, and power is ready to present himself whenever we invite him into our discussions, whether they be about politics, business, or who takes out the garbage. We learn to follow the example of Jesus when we invite him into the fray of our disagreements. When he is the head, we have fewer battles about whose idea prevails because the matter is submitted to him first, and we seek to follow his example in building understanding and unity.

 

When do we examine ourselves? Paul instructed that we should do this before taking communion. Actually, each and every meal invites us to quiet ourselves before God, to humbly confess our wayward ways, and ask him to bless us with his presence. We could gain a greater sense of peace and harmony if we’d learn to examine ourselves whenever we meet with others, especially when disagreements abound.

 

The battle over who is going to be right, especially over trivial matters, is better shifted to who is going to behave rightly. Let’s find many opportunities to invite Jesus into the business of our daily lives, and especially into our relationships. And may peace be yours to enjoy and share.

 

Genuine imitators

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“Do as I say, not as I do!”

 

Have you ever heard that or maybe even said that to a child? We want to set a good example to follow, but sometimes we’d rather them take our advice than follow in our footsteps! Children are great imitators of their parents. Especially in the early years and often in their adulthood, their attitudes and behaviors often mimic and imitate the example set before them.

 

The questions for each of us are, “Who am I imitating and who is imitating me? ”

 

It’s not just children who watch you. Your friends and colleagues are watching too. How you handle stress and care about others is often how they see Jesus in you.

 

A Christian lady worked in a secretarial pool. One of her coworkers was always telling off-colored jokes, using cuss words, and complaining about nearly everything. The first lady kept her tongue and didn’t react to the wild things her coworker said or did. But one day she had reached her limit and was determined she would give her coworker a piece of her mind! But before she could do so, the coworker came quietly to her, asking if she could confide in her about a problem she was having. She said the other coworkers were so judgmental that she didn’t feel safe confiding in them. “But you’re different. You don’t judge.”

 

Some of you may think you don’t want to be imitated because we so easily see all our own faults.  But like it or not, we are ambassadors for Christ wherever we go. The good news is that we can raise the bar. We can refuse to submit to negative self talk and condemnation and instead reflect on how Jesus prayed and treated others. We can raise the bar and refuse to stoop to “witty” sarcasm and mocking cynicism and instead take on the example of honesty and compassion Jesus set. We can model Jesus in not having to defend and assert ourselves at every occasion. We can breathe deeply instead of using our finger to thump our points into the table. We can seek to be peacemakers instead of being divisive. We can grant grace rather than judgment and disdain to those around us, just as Jesus grants to us. We will not be perfect but we can be real. We can raise the bar… today.

 

Unlike the sign I saw above the racks of belts in the store that read, “Genuine imitation leather,” we are not called to be imitation as in fake. We are called to let Jesus be genuinely reflected in the way we live and the reason why we live. Paul actually urged his followers to imitate him. (1 Corinthians 4:16) That might seem presumptuous, but Paul could say that because he lived a genuine life. He walked the talk. He didn’t say “Clothe the naked” while hoarding a closet full of expensive shoes. He clarified this later saying, “Be imitators of me, in so far as I in turn am an imitator of Christ.” (1 Corinthians 11:1) In others words, imitate me as long as my behavior truthfully reflects Christ.

 

We’re called to be genuine imitators of God, to walk in love, “just as Christ also loved you and gave Himself up for us, an offering and a sacrifice to God as a fragrant aroma,” (Ephesians 5:1-2) a life that attracts them to God.

 

Like the apostles, we too are “on display” for others to see the God who not only forgave us and rescued us with his amazing grace but who is transforming us by his power! We’re not on display to impress others or even be concerned if they judge us. Our purpose is to imitate God, to reflect his love, peace, and joy.

 

Let’s ask God to search our hearts. Lord, let my ambitions and goals serve to point others to you. Let my actions reflect the loving care you show me. Let my testimony be one of faith and praise even in times of trouble. Lord, show me how to live each day so it reflects your great love and power.