1 Corinthians 6:7, 8 says....
Today's verses are 1 Corinthians 6:7, 8, which read,
Before we read the verses this morning lets review where Paul took us yesterday. The Christians in the Corinthian church are suing one another. They are taking each other to court. Paul makes the case that they are going to something that is lesser than what they have in the church. Because Christians will ultimately rule over the world and the angels with Christ, then why go to the world to resolve this issue instead of going to the church? Why is the church greater? It is because the church is drawing and relying on the wisdom of God's word which is higher and holier than their own and the world. So today's verses are...
v.7 - Actually, then, it is already a defeat for you, that you have lawsuits with one another. Why not rather be wronged? Why not rather be defrauded?
Paul seems to be extreme in his discussion here but he holds the word of God in the highest place. If we go to the wisdom of the world over the wisdom of the Bible then before that case is decided we have already lost. We have lost because we have disregarded God's way and opted for the world's way.
v.8 - On the contrary, you yourselves wrong and defraud. You do this even to your brethren.
The Christians are taking each other to the world's court to show the other as wrong and defraud them. Paul is saying because of the way they are doing this by running to the world instead of running to God that they are the ones who are wrong and defrauded. What they are seeking to impose on another is what is imposed on them because of this sin. I think it is the old "point a finger at another and you have 3 fingers pointing back at you" idea.
I think the problem with God's way is that it will transform the one wanting to sue another and the one being sued. God's word brings both people to the table under His authority and therefore we come on our knees. That is much different than wanting to get our way and to get back at them for what they have done to us. It is harder to go to God's court than the world's court but the rewards are so much greater.
The world's court might settle the issue but God's court can settle the issue and resolve and restore the relationship, actually that is the goal. You walk away from the world's court with what you want or something taken from you but you can walk away from God's court with the possibility to be feeling better about your relationship with God and others. I know that sounds very idealistic but God's word when followed has transformational effects because we serve a transformational God. Why would we not go His way because He gives us the solutions that bring such greater results?
We are stooping when we follow the ways of the world over the ways of God. We are settling for less than what God will provide. Paul is saying it a sin to sue another Christian in the world's system that has not went to the church first for resolution through God's word. It is a sin because you have chosen something over God's word for your life.
"Lord, these are hard verses to read in our sue happy culture. I fear Lord that we would not be ready in the church if we took this seriously. I fear we have substituted what You can do through us by following Your word with a lesser result when a greater result is bypassed for the ease and comfort of us not having to deal with it. We are here for You and for each other, the two greatest commandments to love the Lord your God with all your heart, mind, soul and strength and my neighbor as my self, and may we not toss them out when something arises between us. Amen."
Pastor Adam
Before we read the verses this morning lets review where Paul took us yesterday. The Christians in the Corinthian church are suing one another. They are taking each other to court. Paul makes the case that they are going to something that is lesser than what they have in the church. Because Christians will ultimately rule over the world and the angels with Christ, then why go to the world to resolve this issue instead of going to the church? Why is the church greater? It is because the church is drawing and relying on the wisdom of God's word which is higher and holier than their own and the world. So today's verses are...
v.7 - Actually, then, it is already a defeat for you, that you have lawsuits with one another. Why not rather be wronged? Why not rather be defrauded?
Paul seems to be extreme in his discussion here but he holds the word of God in the highest place. If we go to the wisdom of the world over the wisdom of the Bible then before that case is decided we have already lost. We have lost because we have disregarded God's way and opted for the world's way.
v.8 - On the contrary, you yourselves wrong and defraud. You do this even to your brethren.
The Christians are taking each other to the world's court to show the other as wrong and defraud them. Paul is saying because of the way they are doing this by running to the world instead of running to God that they are the ones who are wrong and defrauded. What they are seeking to impose on another is what is imposed on them because of this sin. I think it is the old "point a finger at another and you have 3 fingers pointing back at you" idea.
I think the problem with God's way is that it will transform the one wanting to sue another and the one being sued. God's word brings both people to the table under His authority and therefore we come on our knees. That is much different than wanting to get our way and to get back at them for what they have done to us. It is harder to go to God's court than the world's court but the rewards are so much greater.
The world's court might settle the issue but God's court can settle the issue and resolve and restore the relationship, actually that is the goal. You walk away from the world's court with what you want or something taken from you but you can walk away from God's court with the possibility to be feeling better about your relationship with God and others. I know that sounds very idealistic but God's word when followed has transformational effects because we serve a transformational God. Why would we not go His way because He gives us the solutions that bring such greater results?
We are stooping when we follow the ways of the world over the ways of God. We are settling for less than what God will provide. Paul is saying it a sin to sue another Christian in the world's system that has not went to the church first for resolution through God's word. It is a sin because you have chosen something over God's word for your life.
"Lord, these are hard verses to read in our sue happy culture. I fear Lord that we would not be ready in the church if we took this seriously. I fear we have substituted what You can do through us by following Your word with a lesser result when a greater result is bypassed for the ease and comfort of us not having to deal with it. We are here for You and for each other, the two greatest commandments to love the Lord your God with all your heart, mind, soul and strength and my neighbor as my self, and may we not toss them out when something arises between us. Amen."
Pastor Adam
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