Have you ever heard of a Christian going to court to sue or defend themselves against another Christian in a legal matter? Paul had heard the Corinthian were settling many of their internal matters in such a way.
Instead of discussing their differences as a church, to a group of leaders inside the church, some were taking their issues up within the judicial system of Corinth. This did not make sense to Paul and Paul's advice to the Corinthians could save Christians much trouble today.
Dare any of you, having a matter against another, go to law before the unrighteous, and not before the saints? 1 Corinthians 6:1 (NKJV)
Why would Christians, who disagree, go to a court to be judged by a non- Christian? Will the non Christian have better spiritual discernment of what is right over those of the church? This is a very important point that Paul makes here because a church should be so righteous in judgment the people of the church should desire church input over what civil courts could determine.
Do you not know that the saints will judge the world? And if the world will be judged by you, are you unworthy to judge the smallest matters? Do you not know that we shall judge angels? How much more, things that pertain to this life? 1 Corinthians 6:2-3 (KJV)
The decision to take church matters to civil court was a very poor decision and made because the Corinthian church had not studied doctrine well. They missed simple truths about Jesus and our relationship to Him. They also missed the truths about God's intentions for us, His church.
In the Psalms, David had many inspired writings with prophetical knowledge; and they exist preserved through the ages for our learning. These Psalms are a large part about our knowledge of God and relationship with Him. From this we have theological guidelines which should influence our decisions today. Yet the Corinthians had let go of many theological truths.
David wrote, When I consider Your heavens, the work of Your fingers, The moon and the stars, which You have ordained, What is man that You are mindful of him, And the son of man that You visit him? Psalms 7:3-4 (NKJV)
When writing, David was in meditation over the truths revealed to Him; and David goes on to say, For You have made him a little lower than the angels, And You have crowned him with glory and honor. You have made him to have dominion over the works of Your hands; You have put all things under his feet, Psalms 7:5-6 (NKJV)
David had divine revelation we call prophesies about the Son of God's birth and death on the cross. Through the Psalms you will find many prophesies which came true in the life of Jesus. In this truth David reveals God made Jesus lower than the angels as He was born a flesh and blood baby. Through the process of becoming human, God elevated Jesus from the lowliest position to the highest after His innocent death and resurrection; which David here, meditates on.
Now if we piece it together, Jesus was made lower than angels; like us. He rose from the dead and was highly exalted above the angels and made promises to His followers they would become co-heirs of the kingdom. In theology proper this indicates those who follow Christ will reign with Christ and be over the angels. This is not to say lord over the Angels, but as Paul describes we will be able to help them manage decisions of their actions.
These are fundamental truths taught throughout the scriptures and are truths the Corinthians could have thought through before taking their matters to the counsels of those with no knowledge of God.
God wants all men and women to take Him so serious, they know the word and are able to produce sound judgment. When it comes to little social matters the average church member is to be taught so well that they can help others settle their differences. Yet the Corinthian church had fallen down in it’s commitment to teaching and did not esteem each other with regard.
The leaders squabbled amongst themselves. They did not purge sin from the church. These were not leading; therefore, those who attended did not esteem them as able to help and they went to civil court against each other.
If then you have judgments concerning things pertaining to this life, do you appoint those who are least esteemed by the church to judge? I say this to your shame. Is it so, that there is not a wise man among you, not even one, who will be able to judge between his brethren? But brother goes to law against brother, and that before unbelievers! 1 Corinthians 6:4-6 (NKJV)
The mission of a church should be to teach and care for each member in such a way we make giants of wisdom; people who humbly live and serve, but know how to judge righteously. If we cannot take a matter and set the weakest member as a judge over it, then the leadership had failed.
Every Christian needs to be taught to judge righteously. They need to know what the Bible says about how we are to live our lives. Then we should all comply to what the Bible says and fashion ourselves to submit to it’s precepts. Then if one or two disagree, they can be approached and the matter settled in a Godly way.
Jesus taught this principle. "Moreover if your brother sins against you, go and tell him his fault between you and him alone. If he hears you, you have gained your brother. But if he will not hear, take with you one or two more, that 'by the mouth of two or three witnesses every word may be established.' And if he refuses to hear them, tell it to the church. But if he refuses even to hear the church, let him be to you like a heathen and a tax collector. Matthew 18:15-17 (NKJV)
A pastor of a church does not need to be involved all in every circumstance which counsel is needed. A pastor can become such a focal point the congregation cannot handle its own problems; in so doing, a pastor can become over burdened and have little time for preparation or for care of his own family. Keep in mind a church is no stronger than its weakest member. If the pastor is the judge each time those in the church do not grow in their own ability to judge righteously.
Problems can be handled before they become large. The church must teach its people so they can judge righteously and accept when they are wrong. Not being puffed up and prideful, but humbly submitted to each other and able to see when error has clouded their judgment.
When does the Pastor get involved? If the church is healthy, never! The pastor needs to be able to spend his time studying, teaching, preaching, praying and encouraging the members of the church. Pastors seek the Lord for wisdom in creating a strong church so Christians will learn here, what they need to live in Heaven.
Now therefore, it is already an utter failure for you that you go to law against one another. Why do you not rather accept wrong? Why do you not rather let yourselves be cheated? 1 Corinthians 6:7 (NKJV)
People in the church sin; is that a surprise to you? We are sinners, living in bodies which have an old sinful nature. There are times we are wrong and there are times that we wronged. It is in these times we must first forgive and then reconcile our relationship with others by going to them and handling our matters with grace.
If you have a problem with someone else, first forgive them in your heart. Then go to them to reconcile the situation; the important part of this is to first forgive them.
Why forgive them? Because when we were accused by sin, in the court room of heaven, we were guilty. Yet, God was willing to put it behind us; He was willing to forgive us and to allow Christ’s blood to cover our sin. So should we do towards others.
