‘You’re all that’—a prescription for division, a prelude to failure
By Dean Collins
Centuries ago as Paul was dealing with Christians in Corinth, he recognized the problem. His solution to the problem is simple, yet the problem persists. I think you can sum it up with this phrase: “You think you’re all that.” You are the smartest, the most informed, the best equipped to fix it, explain it, and govern it. And also the best one to set the rules for others.
And sooner or later, if enough of the people who think they are all that get together, they form an elite group. The best in class in whatever domain, whether it’s determining policies, running the economy, providing education, playing sports, or even understanding God. This elitist mentality is divisive at least and destructive when full blown. And the church in Corinth was filled with pockets of these self-proclaimed enlightened groups. And of course every group needs a leader.
Maybe Paul knew this would happen when the church was started during his second missionary journey. There had always been the problem of elitism in government, arts, education, philosophy, and religion. But when he started the church with fellow tentmakers, he had hope that faith in the crucified and resurrected Jesus would finally destroy the various myths of the elitists. But when you think you’re all that, it’s hard to walk away from all that.
A simple message
Now, writing to his brothers and sisters in Christ, he reminded them of when they first met and what he first said. He didn’t come to them as the best orator, the most fashionable, or the best looking. He came with one powerful and simple truth. He told them about Jesus and that he was crucified and brought back from the grave. And in this one act everyone could receive forgiveness for sin and be about the transformation of all things in Heaven and earth.
The problem then and the problem now is that so many people are absolutely convinced their ism or ideology can fix all the problems in the world. But it never does, and it never can. And, sadly, the followers of Jesus often think they have a better plan than Jesus. So we form our special groups, denominations, and movements trying to prove we’re right. Yet our superior tone pushes us farther and farther from Jesus.
A simple solution
Paul ended this elegant second chapter of 1 Corinthians with a phrase that summarized his foundation and ours. It also gives us hope of a path forward. Paul said, “But we have the mind of Christ. “
Before we repeat those words, allowing them to make us feel superior, we do well to remember the explanation of what this phrase means and how it is to be lived. Philippians 2 tells us explicitly that this mind of Christ does not bring feelings or behaviors of elitism. It does the opposite. Its power is in surrender of self to Christ and in service to others.
Paul would write in 2 Corinthians that if we are in Christ then we are a new creation. The old has passed away and the new has come. Our old and tired ways of trying to fix things through superior thinking and powerful politics must die. Maybe it’s time to imagine and better practice what may appear to be foolishness to the world but is the wisdom and power of God: Jesus Christ, and him crucified. This is our common ground and our only hope. And in the end it will prove true in every way and for eternity.
Your time with God’s Word
1 Corinthians 2:1-16; Philippians 2:5-11; 2 Corinthians 5:16-19 ESV
Photos by Etty Fidele and by rezasaad رضاصاد on Unsplash
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