Settling disputes

Hello everyone,

How are you doing on this day? I hope well and bubbling in the Lord.

Primary Text

“Does any of you dare, when he has a matter of complaint against another [brother], to go to law before unrighteous men [men neither upright nor right with God, laying it before them] instead of before the saints (the people of God)?” 1 Corinthians 6v1 (AMP)

“And how dare you take each other to court! When you think you have been wronged, does it make any sense to go before a court that knows nothing of God’s ways instead of a family of Christians?” 1 Corinthians 6v1 (MSG)

Isaiah 55v8-9 (KJV) says “For My thoughts are not your thoughts, neither are your ways My ways, saith the LORD. For as the heavens are higher than the earth, so are My ways higher than your ways, and My thoughts than your thoughts.” God’s ways, His thoughts, His way of doing things is far greater, better, wiser and more understanding than ours. In 1 Corinthians 1v25 (AMP) says “[This is] because the foolish thing [that has its source in] God is wiser than men, and the weak thing [that springs] from God is stronger than men.” Now, Paul is saying, if you have an issue with a fellow believer/brother, why would you take it to the court of law, before men who do not have right standing with God and are not upright? The way the court of law would judge, though it is legitimate as the law of the land, might be quite different from how God would judge and view the matter. For instance, Matthew 18v15-17 (NLT) says ““If another believer sins against you, go privately and point out the offense. If the other person listens and confesses it, you have won that person back. But if you are unsuccessful, take one or two others with you and go back again, so that everything you say may be confirmed by two or three witnesses. If the person still refuses to listen, take your case to the church. Then if he or she won’t accept the church’s decision, treat that person as a pagan or a corrupt tax collector.” If we go about things God’s way, it will always have the better outcome. It may seem difficult at first, but it will work out for the best. Even more generally, which I think applies to dealing with unbelievers as well, the Bible advices about conflict resolution saying:

Supplementary Text

“When you are on the way to court with your accuser, try to settle the matter before you get there. Otherwise, your accuser may drag you before the judge, who will hand you over to an officer, who will throw you into prison. And if that happens, you won’t be free again until you have paid the very last penny.”” Luke 12v58-59 (NLT).

Prayer

Father, we thank You for Your Word. We thank You for Your grace and goodness. O God, we pray for the church of God, that You will help us to walk in love and extend mercy to one another in Jesus name, amen.