No Recourse, No Remorse?

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 brother, and that before unbelievers?
(1 Corinthians 6:5-6 – ESV)

Paul laments that the Corinthians are so immature that it seems as if there is no one mature enough to handle these things. We had ought to be maturing in our Christian life, growing in grace and the knowledge of God, so that we may use our biblically informed conscience and scriptural principles to help mediate if necessary. In this life, there will always be problems and disputes, disagreements and vigorous debate, even among believers. The question is will we step up to the plate and develop our lives according to Christ so that we don’t have to run to court over every little thing?

It is not that Paul never had any disputes; godly people can disagree. Paul had to confront Peter in Galatia, (Galatians 2:7-15), but Peter later joins in strengthening the churches of Galatia as well (1 Peter 1:1). Paul may have severe differences with people but he aims at reconciliation, as we see with Barnabas (Acts 11:22-30, 13:1-3, 15:36-40 / 1 Corinthians 9:6) and John Mark (nephew / cousin of Barnabas – same as gospel of Mark / Acts 12:25, 13:13, 15:36-40 / Colossians 4:10 / 2 Timothy 4:11). So Paul isn’t saying that he doesn’t expect disputes, certainly he does. It is that he expects them to do other than they had been doing. He expects them to take care of matters without having to involve the unbelievers.

Now if we are required to answer a charge or to testify, we have to respond, because as Christians we live under the law of the land just as much as anyone else. There are times when we need legal clarification of different kinds of agreements such as contracts, real estate deals, and insurance coverage. There are some things that only a court of law can provide interpretation of. Sometimes, tragically, the quarrels or disagreements between Christians over financial issues and property issues get so tangled that they do have to have a secular court step in to render an expert legal judgment.

In a criminal matter, a believer may need to sign a complaint against another believer who has broken the law, because sometimes failure to do so would condone the lawlessness. Any time that a Christian is being divorced by his or her spouse, the law requires a secular court to be involved. That may also be the case for child abuse, spousal abuse, financial irresponsibility, or child neglect. In those kinds of situations a parent or spouse may be forced to seek court protection.

But with all those exceptions to the principles of 1 Corinthians 6, going to court should always be seen as the last resort. The exceptions do not negate the rule; they prove its use. And our motive must be to glorify God, never to gain selfish advantage. We must be concerned about the cause of Christ in the life of the other party; that must be central. Reconciliation, restoration, redemption, repentance; think about it.

“Living For Today With An Eye For Tomorrow”©