365 Days with God - Day 88: Yes, Even Lawsuits

I'm giving myself a challenge. Read the Bible each day for a whole year, following the ESV Study Guide 1-year plan. Each day, I will post whatever God has revealed to me in His Word, and how it is changing me. A friend of mine once said that nothing has changed her life as much as reading the bible each day - and I'm excited for how this will change me. Join me on an adventure into the heart of God - and day by day, we can learn more about who He is and what that means to us!

- Andy Catts

Day 88, March 18, 2014

Readings: Psalm 88, Exodus 34, Esther 1, 1 Corinthians 6

When one of you has a grievance against another, does he dare go to law before the unrighteous instead of the saints? Or do you not know that the saints will judge the world? And if the world is to be judged by you, are you incompetent to try trivial cases? Do you not know that we are to judge angels? How much more, then, matters pertaining to this life! So if you have such cases, why do you lay them before those who have no standing in the church? I say this to your shame. Can it be that there is no one among you wise enough to settle a dispute between the brothers, but brother goes to law against brothers, and that before unbelievers? To have lawsuits at all with one another is already a defeat for you. Why not rather suffer wrong? Why not rather be defrauded? (1st Corinthians 6:1-7)

I guess I'm glad I've never been part of a lawsuit. Especially against fellow Christians. But why does Paul speak so strongly against this?

I suppose there are a few reasons - after all, for a religion proclaiming peace and goodwill towards men, having lawsuits between it's members seems a bit like hypocrisy, doesn't it? And if we supposedly trust God to handle all things, and to be working in our hearts and lives through the holy spirit, what are we doing asking non-Christians to judge right and wrong between us?

I think the most important message here, though, is unity! The language is very clear - we are brothers and sisters in Christ. Should you take your family to court? Or should you love them dearly? Should you be able to work everything out without involving outsiders? Wouldn't that be amazing? If Christians solved every dispute between Christians? Not as a way to exclude the outside world, but to be an example of how things could really be. How Christ's family goes beyond even suffered wrong and fraud!

And even to that end, Paul says it is better to suffer wrong! To be defrauded! Not so that we can present a fake front, but so that Jesus is well represented. That His amazing love and grace is played out in our lives. This is not merely an admonishment, it is the gospel carried out in our lives. Can you think of someone that you need to make amends with?