The church in Corinth presented Paul with one of his greatest challenges. In this letter he was forced to face several problems at the same time.
- It was a defiled church. Some people in the church were guilty of sexual immorality and drunkenness.
- It was a divided church. At least four groups were competing for leadership.
- It was a disgraced church. Its problems became known throughout the whole region.
Paul's letter could easily have turned into a long, verbal beating. Instead, despite the problems, Paul saw the potential in this church. He practiced the 101 Percent Principle - find the one percent you can affirm and give it 100 percent of your attention. Or as an old proverb says: "You catch more flies with honey than with vinegar."
Paul knew he had to confront the problems, but he began his letter with words of appreciation (1 Corinthians 1:4-9).
Leadership rule number 1: affirmation comes before confrontation. Even though there were some troublesome people in Corinth, Paul saw the good in them:
- They had been blessed by God (1 Corinthians 1:4-8).
- They had fellowship with God (1 Corinthians 1:9).
- They were capable of making the right decision (1 Corinthians 1:10).
Good leaders look for the good in people and affirm it. Only then do they tackle the problem. Like God, they love the sinner, but like God, they also hate the sin.
1 Corinthians 1:4-9
Thanksgiving for God's rich gifts in Corinth
4 I thank my God always on your behalf, for the grace of God which is given you by Jesus Christ;
5 That in every thing ye are enriched by him, in all utterance, and in all knowledge;
6 Even as the testimony of Christ was confirmed in you:
7 So that ye come behind in no gift; waiting for the coming of our Lord Jesus Christ:
8 Who shall also confirm you unto the end, that ye may be blameless in the day of our Lord Jesus Christ.
9 God is faithful, by whom ye were called unto the fellowship of his Son Jesus Christ our Lord.
Divisions in the church
10 Now I beseech you, brethren, by the name of our Lord Jesus Christ, that ye all speak the same thing, and that there be no divisions among you; but that ye be perfectly joined together in the same mind and in the same judgment.