Sunday, July 23, 2017

Saints Settle Strife

I 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 brother, 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? But you yourselves wrong and defraud—even your own brothers!
Selfishness. If there is one word to describe the atmosphere at Corinth in Paul's day, that would be it.  When most people are living selfishly, their interests clash.  When no one is willing to resolve or defer the issue, people either go away or make life so miserable others do. That's why the church at Corinth was also known for their division. It sounds much too much like churches in America. It is not living like saints, to whom have been given the wisdom and power of God in Christ, and the ever present Holy Spirit who will guide us into all truth.  Paul's question is piercing: "Is there no one among you wise enough to settle a dispute?"  Sometimes it seems that way.  Division is defeat by the Devil.  Do we really always have to be "right" and get our own way? Hopefully not today. 

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