“Apr 1, 2024 - The Deeper Issue”

Sunday, March 31, 2024

The Deeper Issue

Reading:  1 Corinthians 6:5-8
    
    Paul is disappointed that the Corinthians are taking each other to court over personal issues rather than talking to their brethren.  “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?”(1 Cor 6:5-6).  The issue here is not about airing dirty laundry before the world, but seeking out the judgment of “those who have no standing in the church”(1 Cor 6:4).  

    But there is a deeper issue.  “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!”(1 Cor 6:7-8).  Paul probes not only the practice of bypassing brethren to be judged by Gentiles, but also the motive behind it.  “Why not rather suffer wrong?” suggests that there is something wrong within us when we cannot let a hurt go without getting some kind of justice from people.  “Why not rather be defrauded?” means that we may really have been victimized, but cannot simply accept it.    These questions are challenging because they take the spotlight off others (and what they have done to us) and shine it on our own hearts.  “But you yourselves wrong and defraud—even your own brothers!”  At some point we begin doing the same thing done to us—and feel justified all the while.

    I do not believe Paul is arguing that there is no place for criminal (or even civil) proceedings regarding Christians.  Some crimes need to be dealt with by the proper authorities.  But there is a deeper issue that also needs attention:  what are such “grievances” doing to my heart?  Must I demand an apology for every cross word and disappointing interaction?  Must everyone “pay” for the slights they commit against me?  If I follow a Savior who has suffered so much wrong unjustly, why can I not suffer wrong?

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One Thing to Think About:   Why do we struggle so much to let things go?

One Thing to Pray For:   A heart to steadfastly endure evil—like Jesus did
 

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