I love this text. I hate this text. Perhaps I need to take my morning bi-polar meds. Or perhaps I need to explain…
In principle, there is little in this passage I would disagree with. But in practice…ahhhh, I cringe at the very thought!
We all know that the Corinthian church was riddled with problems. Can you even imagine being a member of a church where...
2. everyone disagrees about how to properly worship on Sunday
3. sexual immorality is common and overlooked
4. members have serious disagreements with one another
5. marriages are failing
6. immaturity and worldliness are more common than maturity and godliness
Wait...doesn't that sound like a lot of churches today? Perhaps even a tad like our church?
Ouch, let’s get back to the text.
Paul was very upset that Corinthian believers were taking their disagreements to court. Lawsuits were common…in the church! The Jews of Paul’s day considered going before a secular court blasphemy. They had their own court – the Sanhedrin – where they settled disputes and matters of law. The Romans allowed this court freedom to try almost any offense, and give almost any judgment, except the death penalty. This is why when Jesus was tried before the Sanhedrin and declared guilty of death, they needed to get the permission of
Yet most Corinthians were Gentiles, not Jews. They grew up in a culture of litigation. What was that like? It was a bit like our sue-happy nation, only worse! Almost any disagreement was taken before arbitrators, and then a jury of peers. Disagreements were seen as challenges – and lawsuits made for good entertainment. However, Paul wasn’t entertained…
Allow me to quote from a Christian lawyer's perspective about this issue:
I have counseled dozens of Christians to drop lawsuits against each other. In some ninety percent of the cases, I have been successful. Without exception, those believers have been blessed. Also without exception, those who insisted on resolving their disputes in court became bitter and resentful – whether they won or lost their cases. If they went to court, they always lost spiritually.
(taken from John MacArthur’s NT Commentary on 1 Corinthians, pg 140).
These are sobering thoughts…and perhaps they apply beyond lawsuits. You see, Paul didn’t just say to stop suing. He said – learn to lose! Lose what? Arguments, disagreements, fights…. ARE YOU KIDDING???
We live in a culture that……honors winners and despises losers
…teaches us to stand up for our rights and to defend ourselves
…tells us to stop letting ourselves get walked over
Why not just accept the injustice and leave it at that? Why not let yourselves be cheated? (NLT)
…honors others higher than ourselves
…teaches us to stand down from fights and give up our rights
…tells us to let others walk all over us
Better to take a loss of money, stuff, or reputation than to take fights to the next level and lose spiritually. You see, the issue is not about who is right. It is about who is wrong. And Paul is clear – if you take disagreements to the next level, you are wrong.
That’s pretty harsh. But isn’t that what the text says?
Let me end with a paraphrase of verses 7-8 from the Message:
These court cases are an ugly blot on your community. Wouldn’t it be far better to just take it, to let yourselves be wronged and forget it? All you’re doing is providing fuel for more wrong, more injustice, bringing more hurt to the people of your own spiritual family.
Let the comments begin…what do you think? Scripture, experience, thoughts…share them all!!!
6 comments:
Here's my thought: I LOVE YOU JUSTIN!!!
I love your blogs too!
These 2 local newstories may illustrate 1 Corinthians 6. The Binghamton Press has found it newsworthy to cover their stories, which in and of itself, says that doing things God's way (or not) can influence the society around us. Both church congregations are leaving the same liberal mainline denomination because of unbiblical changes in church policies. Some of these issues are actually listed in 1 Corinthians 6. The denomination owns all the buildings and property of each local congregation.
One congregation has graciously handed over their real estate(quite a bit of land and buidings since a few years ago they had added to their holdings by aquiring a neighboring church's facility when that group bought and renovated an old school)and now shares a facility with a Baptist church. The Baptists have allowed them to worship there and even now have joint social events. The pastor whose group lost their property said that they have been very blessed in their new fellowship arrangement. He is not worried about what his group will do about future meeting places.
Across town, there is another congregation of the same original affiliation. They, too, disagree with their denominational policy changes so have withthdrawn. They have hired a lawyer and plan to take the liberal denomination to court to gain the right to keep their real estate. They hope that their case will set a precedent to allow other congregations to take their property and buildings with them when they withdraw.
Macteam, you have found a relevant current application of 1 Cor. 6 - something I had unsuccessfully searched for! You are totally right, the Episcopal Church USA vs. the local episcopal churches is a 1 Cor. 6 real life example!
My aunt's church is facing this predicament right now. The leadership desires to depart from the denomination yet retain the property. The bishop originally offered to allow them to purchase the property (again, they had already paid off the mortgage). However, the bishop changed his mind. Here is the website: http://www.trinityvero.org/home.asp (search under the "transition" link for the statements).
The leadership has now decided to simply leave the church property and begin their own church. They are leaving behind a huge facility that many had invested much time and money into. It was a very Christian thing to do. They refused to take this fight to the "next level", to use Paul's idea.
What do you guys think? Should this (and others) sue the denomination to retain the property they paid for? Or should they walk away?
what about a christian that is at fault in an auto accident - is it ok to sue to cover hospital bills or should you go into debt just because you do not want to sue another christian? even though he admits he's at fault and you cannot pay your hospital bills
I believe the church should walk away - since a 'church' isn't a building, but a family built on God's Word. Pastor Justin, I have a couple questions - you spoke about letting others walk all over you, and I understand God wants us to be humble and take sacrifices for his sake - however, is there a point at which you allow this to happen that others may not be able to see the glory of God in your life? Also - This is kind of coincidental (or not) - I just had to complete a juror questionnaire and I'm wondering how that whole side of the picture fits into this topic - Hmmm?
Justin, what in the world are you doing posting this blog in the middle of the night. Go to bed! Lol! However, i am glad you posted it. And thanks for the invitation to read, learn, and comment. What a great idea. I will enjoy interacting with you over the scripture. The thing that strikes me throughout this process is the sense of blindness we fall prey to. The things we place such value on, in the grand scheme of things, just are not important. Vs. 2 says; if we are to judge the world concerning eternal matters, shouldn't we be capable of judging in trivial matters? When all is said and done, our property is trivial. Our politicians are trivial. So many things that we feel dependent upon, simply are trivial matters. But you're right, how difficult to choose to lose! It is so hard to fight off the need to "be right." When someone wrongs me I just want to make sure that they are "properly" judged for what they've done. As if I know how to "properly" judge someone. Especially, since I have been so properly judged by the Lord. Oh wait a minute, he didn't give me what my sin deserved. Oh my! How could god be so gracious to me, and then i turn around and want everyone else to "get what they deserve?"
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