In the first part of this Corinthian Controversy, Paul dealt with believers judging those in the world and those in the church. He next turns his attention to believers who were asking worldly courts to judge between them.
“When one of you has a dispute with another believer, how dare you file a lawsuit and ask a secular court to decide the matter instead of taking it to other believers! Don’t you realize that someday we believers will judge the world? And since you are going to judge the world, can’t you decide even these little things among yourselves? Don’t you realize that we will judge angels? So you should surely be able to resolve ordinary disputes in this life. If you have legal disputes about such matters, why go to outside judges who are not respected by the church? I am saying this to shame you. Isn’t there anyone in all the church who is wise enough to decide these issues? But instead, one believer sues another—right in front of unbelievers! Even to have such lawsuits with one another is a defeat for you. Why not just accept the injustice and leave it at that? Why not let yourselves be cheated? Instead, you yourselves are the ones who do wrong and cheat even your fellow believers.” (1 Corinthians 6:1–8, NLT)
Disputes happen. People see things differently. Believe me, I know. Sometimes, those disputes are simple misunderstandings. Sometimes, they are amplified by a lack of information on one or both sides. Often, it is because of different priorities those involved use to view the facts. And sometimes, perhaps more often than we’ll admit, it is because of sin (the most common being pride and greed).
Evidently, some in the Corinthian congregation were running to the secular courts to find justice. That doesn’t put the Christian faith in a very good light. Remember what Jesus said, “Your love for one another will prove to the world that you are my disciples.” (John 13:35, NLT) Oh, how hard that is when we’re in the heat of a dispute.
Paul concludes, “Even to have such lawsuits with one another is a defeat for you. Why not just accept the injustice and leave it at that? Why not let yourselves be cheated?” No one likes feeling cheated or on the wrong side of an injustice. But sometimes, the fruit of “winning” isn’t worth the cost it will bring to ourselves, our faith, and others.
I know that some of Lambchow’s readers have been wronged by employers and others—possibly other believers. When there is a dispute, whether it is between believers or with the world, we need God’s wisdom to discern how to proceed. How should we pursue justice? How hard should we pursue it? These are questions that I can’t answer for you. Sometimes, a lawsuit is necessary to prevent further harm to ourselves or others. But there are also times when we should willingly accept the injustice with grace.
Let’s bring this down to something practical. Take lawsuits out of the equation. When we have an interpersonal dispute, especially one with another believer, we must weigh carefully our goals, the cost of justice, and the way of grace. The end result, even in the midst of disagreements, should be love for one another. Easier said than done, yet that is Christ’s call to us all.
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