I Cor.6:1-11

I Cor.6:1-11

The president of Iran wants to destroy Israel; pro-abortion and pro-life groups battle over a Supreme Court appointment; parents contend with their schools over curriculum choices, etc., etc. We live in a dispute-filled world -- and the church is not immune. Paul was concerned about the way the Corinthians were dealing with their squabbles: “If any of you has a dispute with another, dare he take it before the ungodly for judgment instead of before the saints?” Many Christians treat conflict as something shameful. For a couple to admit that they occasionally yell at each other or a parent to admit that he can’t control his teen or a church staff member to admit that she can’t speak amicably to another staff member, is often seen as something horribly disgraceful. But true shame doesn’t come from having disputes but from mishandling them.

Many non-Christians approach a dispute as if they are part of a twelve-member family that is dishing up an eight-piece pie. Their strategy is to claw and scratch and cheat to get their rightful portion. Some of the Corinthians would also “cheat and do wrong” to get their way. Paul asked them to be willing to be abused: “Why not rather be wronged? Why not rather be cheated?” Paul was more concerned about the unity and the testimony of the church than justice for an individual believer. They were hoping to win a legal battle but they had already lost because their actions didn’t honor God. When the world looks at the church it should be a beacon for how to resolve our inevitable conflicts. But if our disputes are just as acrimonious as the world’s, then the world will conclude that we have nothing to offer. That’s why Jesus prayed that we might “be brought to complete unity to let the world know that” the Father had sent him. (Jn.17:23)

But how can we live with injustice? I recently talked with a Christian from another city who explained a conflict with his former Christian partner. Though the two of them drew up a separation agreement, they forgot to include one property in the settlement. This property was similar to several other properties included in the agreement and my friend feels confident that the issue would have been included with those properties. But since it was not included, his former partner laid total claim to the property. Though my friend spent considerable time trying to resolve the issue, his ex-partner remained steadfast. My friend’s only option was to go to court, which he declined even though it involved a substantial amount of money and his lawyer believed he could win the case. He reasoned: “God is capable of giving me that money in some other way. Most of the people we have done business with know that we are Christians and I don’t want to bring dishonor to Christ.” We can accept injustice in this world because we know a greater and more permanent justice is coming: “For we must all appear before the judgment seat of Christ, that each one may receive what is due him for the things done while in the body, whether good or bad.” (II Cor.5:10)


Nov.20 Study: I Cor.6:12-20
1.How can Paul say, “everything is permissible for me”? Is he saying it is O.K. to sin?
2.What is the Christian view of the body?
3.How did the Corinthians justify their sexual immorality?
4.Are sexual sins the worst sins?


Prayer fellowship: Nov.20, 6:00 P.M. Tim & Susan Long. Children welcome.