Twin City church of Christ Blog
“March 29, 2024 - Settle Your Own Disputes”
Categories: 2024 Reading DevotionalsSettle Your Own Disputes
Reading: 1 Corinthians 6:1-4
Having challenged the Corinthians about their need to judge a brother living in sin (5:12), Paul moves on to another issue related to judging. “When one of you has a grievance against another, does he dare go to law before the unrighteous instead of the saints?”(1 Cor 6:1). He is not criticizing legal action—as if the court system is beneath Christians—but the willingness to receive the judgment of “unrighteous” people rather than our own brothers. Other Christians can and should help us settle our differences.
This is particularly true because God has a high view of our judgment: “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!”(1 Cor 6:2-3). Paul looks forward to the return of Jesus, when Christians will “judge the world” and “judge angels” in ways that he does not specify. His point is that if Christians have such awesome responsibilities to judge, ordinary disputes should be no problem. “So if you have such cases, why do you lay them before those who have no standing in the church?”(1 Cor 6:4). Can it be that God thinks more of Christian judgment than Christians do?
Grievances and frustrations will happen between Christians and God wants us to settle our own disputes. “Can it be that there is no one among you wise enough to settle a dispute between the brothers…?”(1 Cor 6:5). Perhaps I will need to talk privately with my brother about a matter (Matt 18:15-17). Perhaps I need wise counsel from other believers. Perhaps I ask others within the group to mediate a conflict. Whatever the case, we should prioritize the wisdom and judgment of fellow Christians (rather than going “before the unrighteous”). Settle your own disputes!
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One Thing to Think About: How do I typically handle conflict with my brothers?
One Thing to Pray For: Trust in the judgment of other disciples
