Lawsuits in public court are wrong!

Well let's tackle another tough one today. In case you haven't noticed our court systems are backed up big time. For Christians we should not be in public courts for most matters! Look at what God says in his Word:



1 Corinthians 6:1-8



Lawsuits Against Believers

6 When one of you has a grievance against another, does he dare go to law before the unrighteous instead of the saints? 2 Or do you not know that the saints will judge the world? And if the world is to be judged by you, are you incompetent to try trivial cases? 3 Do you not know that we are to judge angels? How much more, then, matters pertaining to this life! 4 So if you have such cases, why do you lay them before those who have no standing in the church? 5 I say this to your shame. Can it be that there is no one among you wise enough to settle a dispute between the brothers, 6 but brother goes to law against brother, and that before unbelievers? 7 To have lawsuits at all with one another is already a defeat for you. Why not rather suffer wrong? Why not rather be defrauded? 8 But you yourselves wrong and defraud—even your own brothers!



Not to difficult to understand is it? God says we should take care of our problems among the saints! I wonder when the last time this was practiced? Can you imagine how this would go in the church today? God says here why take a problem to unbelievers, as they will not answer according to His standards. Then God goes onto ask do we not have wise enough people in our church to settle disputes. I believe we do, but you know what would happen? The one who lost would have a problem with it. That is where as believers we have to say a decision has been made by God's Word and that is where we stand.



Paul then goes on to say that having lawsuits is wrong in itself! That as a believer we are to take loss if that's what it takes. Wow! Our selfishness can't have that now can we? Paul implies suffer wrong if need be! How can he say that? Here is why....



Romans 12:19



Beloved, never avenge yourselves, but leave it to the wrath of God, for it is written, “Vengeance is mine, I will repay, says the Lord.”



1 Peter 3:9



9 Do not repay evil for evil or reviling for reviling, but on the contrary, bless, for to this you were called, that you may obtain a blessing.





Romans 12:17



17 Repay no one evil for evil, but give thought to do what is honorable in the sight of all.



This is a very tough teaching from the Lord. First, we are to settle disputes ourselves. If we are wronged so be it because the Lord will take care of it in the end. Second, if we must have the dispute settled then we are to take it to the church and let it be settled there. Why is the church not doing this?



Something to chew on!



Tom