14 I’m not writing these things to make you ashamed but to warn you, since you are my loved children.15 You may have ten thousand mentors in Christ, but you don’t have many fathers. I gave birth to you in Christ Jesus through the gospel, 16 so I encourage you to follow my example. 17 This is why I’ve sent Timothy to you; he’s my loved and trusted child in the Lord; he’ll remind you about my way of life in Christ Jesus. He’ll teach the same way as I teach everywhere in every church. 18 Some have become arrogant as if I’m not coming to see you. 19 But, if the Lord is willing, I’ll come to you soon. Then I won’t focus on what these arrogant people say, but I’ll find out what power they possess.20 God’s kingdom isn’t about words but about power. (1 Corinthians 4:14-20, CEB)
What power do arrogant people have? Some people yield power through who they are and some through who they know. People will sometimes do whatever it takes to get their way.
But when we are born of God, we need to put aside our arrogance and follow after what Jesus told us to do. We need to not look out for our own needs or our own desires, but what is best for the community and others. And by doing this we will live the life that God has gifted us within the way that Jesus called us to live. We will look out for the other and will, therefore, be looked out for by others.
So don’t be arrogant, and love others as God loved you.
