A. The happiness of children

1. The blessedness of meeting Jesus and being made a child of God (12-15)

12 I plead with you, brothers and sisters, become like me, for I became like you. You did me no wrong. 13 As you know, it was because of an illness that I first preached the gospel to you, 14 and even though my illness was a trial to you, you did not treat me with contempt or scorn. Instead, you welcomed me as if I were an angel of God, as if I were Christ Jesus himself. 15 Where, then, is your blessing of me now? I can testify that, if you could have done so, you would have torn out your eyes and given them to me.

2. Our sin to compromise the happiness (16-18)

16 Have I now become your enemy by telling you the truth? 17 Those people are zealous to win you over, but for no good. What they want is to alienate you from us, so that you may have zeal for them. 18 It is fine to be zealous, provided the purpose is good, and to be so always, not just when I am with you.

B. Suffering of fathers and mothers

1. The wish for children not to compromise their happiness (19-20)

19 My dear children, for whom I am again in the pains of childbirth until Christ is formed in you, 20 how I wish I could be with you now and change my tone, because I am perplexed about you!

2. Let’s become fathers and mothers of faith (1Corinthians 4:14-16)

(1Corinthians 4:14-16) I am writing this not to shame you but to warn you as my dear children. 15 Even if you had ten thousand guardians in Christ, you do not have many fathers, for in Christ Jesus I became your father through the gospel. 16 Therefore I urge you to imitate me.

Summary

It is our best happiness to trust and follow Jesus Christ who died for us. Though we all cannot avoid making mistakes ourselves and being misunderstood by others, we never get lost because Jesus’ love always leads us. That is the happiness of God’s children. We are not only to enjoy this happiness ourselves, but at the same time also to desire for others to embrace it. Let us keep proclaiming that it is the best happiness to trust and follow Jesus Christ!.

For Discussion

1) Frankly speaking, what is your happiness right now?
2) How do you reflect on Paul’s words in verse 19-20?