It matters how we view people. If we think that everybody is better than us, and we cannot match their skill or intellect, then we may fight them, or become intimidated and withdraw from them. If we believe that they are inferior to us then we will either patronise or dominate. But if we see other people and ourselves equally as sinners for whom Christ died, we will have a very different perspective on interpersonal relationships. And we will view the Lord Jesus Christ very differently than the worldly person (Hebrews 2:9).

It was a problem in the Corinthian Church. They even argued about which apostle was best to follow (1 Corinthians 1:10-13). They had absorbed the worldly attitudes of pride and party-spirit, accommodating immoral behaviour (1 Corinthians 5:1-2), entering marriages and business partnerships with unbelievers (2 Corinthians 6:14-18) and accepting false teachers who were confident and popular (1 Corinthians 2:1-5). Paul said that they were looking through worldly and not spiritual eyes. By implication, they had the wrong view of the Lord Jesus too (1 Corinthians 15:12-18).

So the apostle took them back to the incarnation purpose of Christ – to be the Saviour. He reminded them of the method of salvation – the cross; and he reminded them that the resurrection proved that spiritually dead people have new life through trusting in Jesus. That new life changes everything, including the way we view ourselves and other people. For those who put their faith in Christ, He has made them totally new on the inside – free from guilt and shame, and full of hope. For those who do not yet trust Christ as Saviour, they need the gospel urgently. It is the believer's privilege to sacrifice their own interests so that those trapped in the darkness of this world might welcome the light of Christ (1 Corinthians 9:22).

Our own transformation will slow or stop when we presume that our worldly background, personal desires and attitudes are right, even when they are wrong. We can see Jesus and His church through worldly eyes, instead of viewing the world through Christ's eyes. We can assume the church is a comfort zone for our wellbeing, rather than a mission centre to actively promote the gospel where we live and work. Many of us are slow to translate Bible truth we know into transformation of desires and behaviour, and still carry-over well-worn but wrong behaviour patterns into church and family life. It is time to repent, wake up and allow Christ to transform our thinking, speaking and actions (1 Corinthians 15:34). He has put a new life inside us, so ask Him to help you work it out for everybody's blessing (Philippians 2:12-13).