1Corinthians 6:1-8 SETTLING PROBLEMS It is not the usual thing, but there are times when those who are Christians seem to think they are either not being treated fairly or are wanting what they think they deserve that which another believer has. Unfortunately, the testimony of Christian love is not always evident. "By this shall all men know ye are My disciples indeed, if ye have love one to another." Disagreements among Christians should be handled privately: "If thy brother trespass against thee, go tell him his fault between thee and him alone," or those of the Lord's people can pass appropriate decisions by hearing and judging a matter. Believers have an advantage that the land's court system does not. We have the Word of God, the Holy Spirit of God, and the mind of Christ to guide us in a spiritual as well as a moral way.
God has delegated authority by which Christ's headship can govern our actions. Because of the God-given authority we have, we will judge the world and angels. How much more then, should we be able to make wise judgments among ourselves. The system society has set up to make judgments is a court of law, where rules are established by human wisdom. Those who take the place as judges are supposed to be those who, by experience, are able to properly define what the laws of the land say about an issue between opposing parties. There are several reasons this is not really applicable in the Christian context.
In a secular court or in the various courts within a country's legal system, those who adjudicate a matter and ultimately make a decision have no commitment to, and may have no understanding of, Christian values. The decisions made are usually based on what one has learned from others who live by secular values. Often, the basis for court work that finds its way into the public domain is the desire for some kind of revenge on the part of the litigant. This is not consistent with the life of a Christian. Our motive for settling a problem is to maintain or recover peace and fellowship between saints. In order for this to actually be attained, we will have to "esteem each other better than ourselves." A third reason is that lawsuits among Christians cause unbelievers to focus on what is wrong in the Christian life and testimony rather than on what is right. A disagreement between two believers in an assembly of God's people makes the whole assembly be disapproved of and be legitimately criticized by the public that looks on.
A unified, happy Christian fellowship among saints is a powerful testimony to God and to good in any locality. The assembly at Corinth, with all their gifts, and a good number saved and gathered to the name and Person of the Lord Jesus Christ, could have been, and should have been, a place of great power and blessing. But with the sexual immorality that is addressed in chapter 5, and their unwillingness to deal with small matters in chapter 6, division and disorder in the assembly were a serious threat to their public testimony. The testimony was being undermined by immorality and spiritual immaturity. Some of the saints were failing the test of living by faith.
A form of church discipline to deal with issues between believers is to have problems settled by wise, discerning elders who know the people involved and can judge matters in the fear of God and in light of scriptural intent. The God-given right of those wise counselors who make their decisions based on "the whole counsel of God" has authority we are to bow to. We need to reject the tendency to blend in with the world and accept its values and lifestyles. When we are committed to living Christ-centered, blameless lives that demonstrate the love of God to our fellow believers and those around us, we make a difference in how people view Christianity. We need to make sure the values we live by and the practices of our lives align with what the Bible teaches and with what is expected of followers and learners of the Lord Jesus Christ. If we take a brother to court, we are already defeated, whatever the outcome or verdict. Disobedience to God and His Word, the loss of testimony among unbelievers, bitterness against each other, and an uneasy sense of guilt defeat any advantage we might think we have gained. Take the loss! Lose what you think is yours! You will win a sense of peace that comes when one knows he has done what is right before God.
We may not understand that the things we do in life Have a measure of impact on those who only walk by sight But if we compromise our values, those who are looking on Will think that Christians are just like them with no sense of right or wrong.
The way I treat my Christian family is very easy to observe. What a disappointment to testimony when a court-work summons is served. People expect much better from me than to demand my questionable rights. Even those who don't know much spiritually, expect me to walk by faith not sight.
When problems come between me and another, grace is expected of me. Not every issue between people can be solved only by we hear and see. There is a sense of spiritual love that enables one to bear the blame, By taking the low path and suffering loss, in order to bring honor to Jesus' name.
The manifold grace of God is seen when one believer yields to another. Rather than claim what is rightfully his, he gives it to his brother. The reality is that what we think we have gained is very easy to lose. What one may think is a victory, comes at high cost by the action we choose.
God in His grace has forgiven me and the cost of that was very great. I lived daily in the blessings that come because my sins the Savior did take. So why should it be considered a strange response if my rights I do not win. Any little loss I might have to sustain is nothing compared to what I cost Him.
"Father in heaven, as I make this crossing and go to seek to give some kind of blessing to isolated brothers and sisters, may I go in the spirit of love, with grace to flavor any words of encouragement and fellowship I might give. In the name of the Lord Jesus Christ, Amen."