Settling Disputes God’s Way

Around the holidays, people pour out hugs and love. Unfortunately, people also fight and disconnect. To what extent should the church involve themselves in soured Christian relationships?

The Apostle Paul harshly rebuked the disputing Christians who were taking their matters to the city courthouse before unbelievers rather than having it settled by the church. Yes, the church is supposed to settle all Christian disputes. What does it say about our churches if they have stopped this practice?

Paul asked them,

“Is there not a wise man among you?”

Paul understood that every move you make in front of the unbelievers shows them either your carnal nature or your spiritual nature toward the very family that is built up in Christ. Walking in carnality separates you from God and discredits Christianity.

Let us always remember to walk in wisdom by loving your fellow Christian in front of the world and finding the church that supports reconciliation.

[1] Dare any of you, having a matter against another, go to law before the unjust, and not before the saints? [2] 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? [3] Know ye not that we shall judge angels? how much more things that pertain to this life? [4] If then ye have judgments of things pertaining to this life, set them to judge who are least esteemed in the church. [5] 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? [6] But brother goeth to law with brother, and that before the unbelievers. [7] 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? [8] Nay, ye do wrong, and defraud, and that your brethren. [9] Know ye not that the unrighteous shall not inherit the kingdom of God? Be not deceived: neither fornicators, nor idolaters, nor adulterers, nor effeminate, nor abusers of themselves with mankind, [10] Nor thieves, nor covetous, nor drunkards, nor revilers, nor extortioners, shall inherit the kingdom of God. ~1 Corinthians 6:1-10 KJV