Consider it all joy, my brethren, when you encounter various trials, knowing that the testing of your faith produces endurance. And let endurance have its perfect result, so that you may be perfect and complete, lacking in nothing. - James 1:2-4
Over the past several weeks, we’ve talked about the heated division that raged within the Corinthian church. We’ve also discussed their blind indifference to an egregious and immoral sin that was taking place openly in their midst. In today’s sermon, we will focus on yet another issuing that hindered the believers at Corinth.
I have titled the message, “Lawsuits Discouraged”. That’s pretty straightforward. It is the 9th installment of our current sermon series, “The Messed Up Church: Paul’s Letters to Corinth”. It seems that the further we get into this letter, the more we discover how far the Corinthian church had gone off the rails…
I. DON’T GO TO COURT (1 Corinthians 6:1-6)
It appears that some of the members of the Corinthian church were filing suit against one another in the civil courts. Their bitter disputes and quarrels, which had already been discussed earlier, prompted them to pursue litigation - even on rather small and petty matters. Paul questioned how Christians - the very saints of God - could be comfortable having their problems resolved by secular, unrighteous judges. Why would they trust the corrupt Roman legal system to settle their problems? Such a notion seemed preposterous.
Someday Christians will share in Christ’s authority and judgment over the world (Revelation 2:26-27). In addition to this, they will also judge and hold a higher status than the angels. This being the case, it would seem reasonable that competent believers within the church could find a way to work out their own disagreements. Whatsmore, why would Christians be content with the appointment of unrighteous judges who do not even participate in the church?
Paul rebuked them for their litigious behavior which only aggravated and further amplified their division. It was woefully shameful. He asked if there was any saved member in the church - even just one wise person - who could be trusted to hear and mediate their disputes. As a general rule, Christians should not sue each other or look to unbelieving outsiders for resolutions to their problems.
II. BECAUSE YOU CAN’T WIN (1 Corinthians 6:7-8)
Paul told those who were involved in lawsuits against their brethren that, regardless of the outcome of their cases, they had already been defeated. Even if the legal decision that was rendered went their way, they had effectively driven a wedge between themselves and fellow believers. In other words, it was a lose-lose situation.
Is it more important that we get earthly justice for ourselves or that we maintain unity and fellowship within the body of Christ? Would it not be better to suffer injustice in the name of Jesus than to alienate one another and possibly destroy our Christian witness? By the way, did our Savior cry foul when He was unjustly condemned and crucified? No, He didn’t.
To go a step further, when we take another person to court we do wrong by them. The action itself publicly expresses doubt about their character. Whether justified or not, we are not to hurt or defame one another - especially fellow members of the church.
III. WITH UNRIGHTEOUS JUDGES (1 Corinthians 6:9-11)
Having just described secular judges as unrighteous (v1), Paul then broadened his argument to include other categories of sinful behavior. He listed a sampling of the many different types of sin. He also warned the Corinthian Christians not to foolishly believe that such folks would inherit the kingdom of God.
Fornicators are single people who are having premarital or extra-marital sex. Idolaters are those who practice idolatry. Adulterers are married people who are having sex with someone other than their spouse. The effeminate may refer to any of a wide range of sins, as this word carries multiple meanings in Scripture depending on its context. Some suggest it refers to transgenderism, others to self-indulgent behavior, others to prostitution, and still others to an unwillingness to work. Homosexuals are men having sex with men or women having sex with women. Thieves are those who steal, the covetous are those who covet, and drunkards are those who get drunk. Revilers verbally abuse others and swindlers practice deceit.
Paul reminded the congregation that, before Christ came into their lives, many of them conducted themselves in these ways. But, by God’s grace, through faith in Christ and by the power of the Spirit, they had been purified, sanctified, and justified. Having been delivered out of sin themselves, they should lovingly desire the same salvation for others still lost in it.
Everyone sins from time to time, even the most devout Christian. We are carnal, fallen, imperfect, and unholy human beings. It is important to note that this passage, and others like it, concern continuous behavior and/or practices that constitute a lifestyle. While a saved person may certainly be tempted by and struggle with these issues, out of faithful reverence and obedience to God they will strive to avoid them.
CONCLUSION
Just because something is legal doesn’t necessarily mean its right. There are many things that are acceptable in the eyes of the law that are displeasing to God. In the same way, just because something is illegal doesn’t necessarily make it wrong. There are many things that are forbidden by this world’s law that are actually pleasing to and even commanded by God. Here is the bottom line - man’s legal system and God’s moral system are not always in line with one another. When they diverge, we as Christians must prioritize God’s will over man’s.
Furthermore, many of our courts are presided over by corrupt judges. They can be easily bribed, influenced, and manipulated. They typically favor the wealthy and famous. They have a biased and fluctuating interpretation of the law. They are more inclined to serve an agenda rather than to pursue justice. They have an affinity for criminals rather than victims. They are cowardly, soft, and often unwilling to render decisions that would effectively deter unlawful behavior. In short - they are sinners who do not concern themselves with the things of God.
For these reasons, Christians are strongly discouraged from initiating legal action against other people - especially fellow believers. Unrighteous persons should not be determining outcomes for the righteous. Does this mean that suing someone is always wrong in every circumstance? No, but it should only be done after other measures have been exhausted. It should always be preceded by serious and thoughtful prayer. Even then, it might be better to suffer wrong and wait for God’s justice rather than to move forward with legal action.
Over the past several weeks, we’ve talked about the heated division that raged within the Corinthian church. We’ve also discussed their blind indifference to an egregious and immoral sin that was taking place openly in their midst. In today’s sermon, we will focus on yet another issuing that hindered the believers at Corinth.
I have titled the message, “Lawsuits Discouraged”. That’s pretty straightforward. It is the 9th installment of our current sermon series, “The Messed Up Church: Paul’s Letters to Corinth”. It seems that the further we get into this letter, the more we discover how far the Corinthian church had gone off the rails…
I. DON’T GO TO COURT (1 Corinthians 6:1-6)
It appears that some of the members of the Corinthian church were filing suit against one another in the civil courts. Their bitter disputes and quarrels, which had already been discussed earlier, prompted them to pursue litigation - even on rather small and petty matters. Paul questioned how Christians - the very saints of God - could be comfortable having their problems resolved by secular, unrighteous judges. Why would they trust the corrupt Roman legal system to settle their problems? Such a notion seemed preposterous.
Someday Christians will share in Christ’s authority and judgment over the world (Revelation 2:26-27). In addition to this, they will also judge and hold a higher status than the angels. This being the case, it would seem reasonable that competent believers within the church could find a way to work out their own disagreements. Whatsmore, why would Christians be content with the appointment of unrighteous judges who do not even participate in the church?
Paul rebuked them for their litigious behavior which only aggravated and further amplified their division. It was woefully shameful. He asked if there was any saved member in the church - even just one wise person - who could be trusted to hear and mediate their disputes. As a general rule, Christians should not sue each other or look to unbelieving outsiders for resolutions to their problems.
II. BECAUSE YOU CAN’T WIN (1 Corinthians 6:7-8)
Paul told those who were involved in lawsuits against their brethren that, regardless of the outcome of their cases, they had already been defeated. Even if the legal decision that was rendered went their way, they had effectively driven a wedge between themselves and fellow believers. In other words, it was a lose-lose situation.
Is it more important that we get earthly justice for ourselves or that we maintain unity and fellowship within the body of Christ? Would it not be better to suffer injustice in the name of Jesus than to alienate one another and possibly destroy our Christian witness? By the way, did our Savior cry foul when He was unjustly condemned and crucified? No, He didn’t.
To go a step further, when we take another person to court we do wrong by them. The action itself publicly expresses doubt about their character. Whether justified or not, we are not to hurt or defame one another - especially fellow members of the church.
III. WITH UNRIGHTEOUS JUDGES (1 Corinthians 6:9-11)
Having just described secular judges as unrighteous (v1), Paul then broadened his argument to include other categories of sinful behavior. He listed a sampling of the many different types of sin. He also warned the Corinthian Christians not to foolishly believe that such folks would inherit the kingdom of God.
Fornicators are single people who are having premarital or extra-marital sex. Idolaters are those who practice idolatry. Adulterers are married people who are having sex with someone other than their spouse. The effeminate may refer to any of a wide range of sins, as this word carries multiple meanings in Scripture depending on its context. Some suggest it refers to transgenderism, others to self-indulgent behavior, others to prostitution, and still others to an unwillingness to work. Homosexuals are men having sex with men or women having sex with women. Thieves are those who steal, the covetous are those who covet, and drunkards are those who get drunk. Revilers verbally abuse others and swindlers practice deceit.
Paul reminded the congregation that, before Christ came into their lives, many of them conducted themselves in these ways. But, by God’s grace, through faith in Christ and by the power of the Spirit, they had been purified, sanctified, and justified. Having been delivered out of sin themselves, they should lovingly desire the same salvation for others still lost in it.
Everyone sins from time to time, even the most devout Christian. We are carnal, fallen, imperfect, and unholy human beings. It is important to note that this passage, and others like it, concern continuous behavior and/or practices that constitute a lifestyle. While a saved person may certainly be tempted by and struggle with these issues, out of faithful reverence and obedience to God they will strive to avoid them.
CONCLUSION
Just because something is legal doesn’t necessarily mean its right. There are many things that are acceptable in the eyes of the law that are displeasing to God. In the same way, just because something is illegal doesn’t necessarily make it wrong. There are many things that are forbidden by this world’s law that are actually pleasing to and even commanded by God. Here is the bottom line - man’s legal system and God’s moral system are not always in line with one another. When they diverge, we as Christians must prioritize God’s will over man’s.
Furthermore, many of our courts are presided over by corrupt judges. They can be easily bribed, influenced, and manipulated. They typically favor the wealthy and famous. They have a biased and fluctuating interpretation of the law. They are more inclined to serve an agenda rather than to pursue justice. They have an affinity for criminals rather than victims. They are cowardly, soft, and often unwilling to render decisions that would effectively deter unlawful behavior. In short - they are sinners who do not concern themselves with the things of God.
For these reasons, Christians are strongly discouraged from initiating legal action against other people - especially fellow believers. Unrighteous persons should not be determining outcomes for the righteous. Does this mean that suing someone is always wrong in every circumstance? No, but it should only be done after other measures have been exhausted. It should always be preceded by serious and thoughtful prayer. Even then, it might be better to suffer wrong and wait for God’s justice rather than to move forward with legal action.