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? 2 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? 3 Do you not know that we are to judge angels? How much more, then, matters pertaining to this life! 4 So if you have such cases, why do you lay them before those who have no standing in the church? 5 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, 6 but brother goes to law against brother, and that before unbelievers? – 1 Corinthians 6:1-6
1 CORINTHIANS 6 SETTLE DISPUTES AMONG YOUR BROTHERS
A poem by ILMA inspired by these verses
As servants of the Lord Jesus Christ, we are to settle differences
There must be no room for quarrels, envy and competitiveness
We must have unity and harmony among our sisters and brothers
We must not let any case be judged by those who don’t know Jesus Christ
The world system operates differently than the kingdom of God
Ensure that we do not bring to court our cases but settle it among us.
In this letter, Paul challenges the Corinthian church to deal with their grievances and cases against each other. Like a father, he tells his children to face their differences and handle their discomfort with those challenges. He is teaching them to be mature and responsible for the conflicts that may come between them and their brothers.
In our world today, people easily sue each other for certain disputes. Paul cautions the believers to not let those judges who do not know the Lord make decisions for them since they do not know the laws of the Lord. The world system operates in a transactional manner where everything is done out of competition and “self-focused” motives.
God’s kingdom is based highly on loving and not transactions. When we allow the world system to deal with our problems and challenges, we may be facing more difficulties resolving our issues. Paul is giving us good advice by ensuring that we don’t hand our disputes to the world but should settle it among those who know the laws of God
REFLECTION
- Why is Paul advocating for Christians to settle disputes among themselves?
