Paul cares deeply about what others think of him, but not in the ways many of us would/do. We want people to like us, to think much of us. How often have you volunteered information to sound better or be honored for a decision or action you made? We do this all the time, right?!? We want props. This is typical. How often do you feel like your spouse doesn’t see you? How often do you feel taken for granted at work? Common, right?

Paul wants people to think less of him! At least, he doesn’t want people making more of him than they should. When people honor him, he is quick to remind them of his past. When people declare loyalty to his teaching (1:12), he is quick to remind them that he has done little to earn that loyalty. Where others are eloquent, Paul is not (1:17). Where others use logic to try to convince people to follow Jesus, Paul appeals to the ludicrous concept that Christ makes no sense to the unbeliever. That’s okay! If you have time, listen to this podcast. The thing that challenged me the most was that ancient believers were not concerned to “make the culture happy” with them, but that the ancient believers would defend their actions well in the culture. They believed God and stood in the face of persecution and trial. Are we this robust? Do we hold more tightly to the Constitution of the US than God’s word? Do we shy away from Jesus’ tougher teachings in favor of the ones we already are following?

If God is real, He deserves our allegiance and honor! We should put Him first over country. We should honor God first over family, friends or culture. Paul understood this. I wonder what he would write to the EFCA church in Freeport, IL and Winnebago, IL to guide us back to the light? Are we open to that?