Today’s passage: 1 Corinthians 6:1-11
Helpful thoughts:
- Civil lawsuits between Christians are a poor testimony for two reasons:
- Christians ought to be treating one another in love.
- Christians ought to be able to biblically discern resolution of disagreement.
- It is better to take the hit when another believer has wronged you than to take him/her to secular courts.
- The cause of Christ is more valuable.
- This doesn’t mean you shouldn’t take that wrong to the church for mediation. Remember, the context of this passage is tied to church discipline from chapter 5.
- People who are remaining in sin give evidence they are not converted. The unrighteous will not inherit the kingdom of God.
- Tied to the previous verses, this should encourage anyone defrauding his brother to repent and make things right!
- “And such were some of you.” – This reminds us to be humble. We were saved from our sin. Others need saving just like we did.
Questions to consider:
- How many reasons can you think of why it would be better to resolve a conflict between two believers in the church as opposed to the courts?
- In what ways can you see the need for church discipline continuing to have an impact in this passage? If a man were to be disciplined by the church (No longer being counted among the fellowship), having refused to repent of defrauding his brother, what would the brother who was defrauded now have the freedom to do?
- How could verses 9-11 be heeded as a warning for unbelievers? As a warning for a church goer who is caught up in sin? A believer who has become proud and looks down on the world? How do these verses remind us that anyone we share the gospel with could be saved?