No Job for Lawyers

I Corinthians 6:1-8

Several years ago, a new Baptist church moved into a town. The old Baptist church, more than 100 years old, was named the First Baptist Church. The new church was associated with a group which has often used the name on their churches, and has claimed the name as their denomiations property. They proceeded to sue the old church for using the name, even though the older church was in fact the first Baptist church in town.

The suit made national news, and many people were disgusted by the petty attitude displayed. It brought a reproach on the cause of Christ and made Christians, especially Baptists, look quite petty. Apparently, the church at Corinth was having some similar strife, although we do not know the details. It was obviously a result of their unspiritual condition, just as the suit between the two Baptist churches was. Paul addresses the issue in I Corinthians 6.

"Dare any of you, having a matter against another, go to law before the unjust, and not before the saints? Do ye not know that the saints shall judge the world? and if the world shall be judged by you, are ye unworthy to judge the smallest matters? Know ye not that we shall judge angels? how much more things that pertain to this life?

If then ye have judgments of things pertaining to this life, set them to judge who are least esteemed in the church. I speak to your shame. Is it so, that there is not a wise man among you? no, not one that shall be able to judge between his brethren? But brother goeth to law with brother, and that before the unbelievers.

Now therefore there is utterly a fault among you, because ye go to law one with another. Why do ye not rather take wrong? why do ye not rather suffer yourselves to be defrauded? Nay, ye do wrong, and defraud, and that your brethren." (I Corinthians 6:1-8)

To bring such matters to the world's courts clearly demonstrated a lack of unity, and of Christian love before the world. I also implied that there was no one of sufficient common sense among them to settle even minor disputes. One day Christians will be in a position of judging very important matters. It would be wise to practice a little before the time comes.

For the matters pertaining to this life, the weakest and most unqualified Christian should be able to make a valid judgement. It should not be neccessary for one of the leaders to deal with such issues. Most of the issues that arise, such as the church name, really make very little difference, and are not worth the cost or the noteriety. It would be far better to forgive and forget, even if you are right, and are losing something as a result. God has promised to straighten out these things, and repay those who have suffered for doing right. The strife is proof, once again carnality.

Most lawsuits are more about taking advantage of the other person, than about correcting a wrong. Rarely does one sue for the damage one has suffered, but for more as a way of getting even. The defendant usually ends up trying to get out of any compensation. A prime exampl of this is the case of the woman in albuquerque who spilled coffee on herself and sued McDonalds for 4 million dollars. Even if it had been McDonalds fault, her damages were not more than a few hundred dollars. Her lawyers ripped off McDonalds. using the courts. This is what was happening in Corinth. They were using the courts to cheat each other. There is nothing Christian about such behaviour, it is Satanic.

The case of the two churches fighting over the church name clearly illustrates the lack of spirituality in many churches today, and the resulting lack of interest in what God has directed us to do in the Bible. It shows in every area of modern Christianity. Paul explains how to deal with each of the situations in a Godly, spiritual manner. As he says in I Corinthians 14:37-38, a truly spiritual person will recognize these things as being God's commands. Anyone who does not is ignorant of the things of God.

Spiritual people, following the teachings of God, will never have a conflict requiring a court action between them.