1 Corinthians 4:14

1 Corinthians 4:14 says, I write not these things to shame you, but as my beloved sons I warn you.  Paul was dealing with some false teachings, one of which was the claim that some Christians were better than others because of who witnessed to them and led them to Christ.  After reminding them of the many ways other Christians and he had suffered for the gospel, Paul said he didn't do this to shame them but to warn them of suffering that could come to them as well.  As the Christians at Corinth argued about how important one might be compared to another, Paul reminded the to look at his life.  If they were going to claim superiority based on being converted under Paul's preaching, they needed to be ready to follow his example.  Verse fifteen adds, For though ye have ten thousand instructors in Christ, yet have ye not many fathers: for in Christ Jesus I have begotten you through the gospel.  I believe that Paul was telling them that who was instructing them in Christ was not the important thing.  The important thing was that they were born again through faith in the gospel of Christ.  We may have been led to a saving knowledge of Christ by one of the greatest preachers of our time, or we may have been led to this knowledge by one of the poorest of God's followers, and it does not matter.  No one is more saved than anyone else based on who led them to Christ.  Verse sixteen continues, Wherefore I beseech you, be ye followers of me.  Paul asked them to follow him as he followed Christ.  Since he was dealing with divisions in the church based on who had led them to Christ, I do not believe that Paul was now asking them to physically follow him, but to follow him in his spiritual example.  We are to follow Christ alone, but we can learn from the example of other Christians.  Verse seventeen states, For this cause have I sent unto you Timotheus, who is my beloved son, and faithful in the Lord, who shall bring you into remembrance of my ways which be in Christ, as I teach every where in every church.  Paul was sending Timotheus, or Timothy to help these Christians at Corinth understand more fully what it meant to be a Christian.  New Christians today need someone to help them grow in Christ.  We are commissioned to go and make disciples, not to just go and baptize.  Verse eighteen adds, Now some are puffed up, as though I would not come to you.  I believe that Paul was saying that some of the Christians at Corinth were filled with self-pride, thinking that Paul would not return to correct them.  It is easier to give in to self-pride if we feel that there is no one to correct us.  If we decide that we are the ultimate authority where we are, then who is going to be able to correct us.  What they were forgetting though was that even when Paul was not there, the Holy Spirit was.  Verse nineteen continues, But I will come to you shortly, if the Lord will, and will know, not the speech of them which are puffed up, but the power.  Paul told them that his plan was to come to them soon, if it was the will of the Lord.  When we make our plans, we must ensure that the align with the will of God.  Paul also said he wasn't coming with puffed up speech, but with the power of God.  When we are following God's direction for our lives, we can be certain that His power is behind whatever He leads us to do.  Verse twenty declares, For the kingdom of God is not in word, but in power.  Again, when we go in God's will, we don't need puffed up words, because we have the power of God, through the indwelling of the Holy Spirit, empowering us.  Verse twenty-one Paul adds, What will ye? shall I come unto you with a rod, or in love, and in the spirit of meekness?  I believe Paul was telling them that it was their choice how he came to them.  He could come with the rod of correction, but would rather they begin to live as Christians should, and then he could come to them with love and meekness.  As followers of Christ today, if we begin to follow our own will instead of the will of God, He will most certainly come to us with a rod of correction.  If we repent and return to following God's will, He will come to us in love.