“Dare any of you, having a matter against another, go to law before the unjust, and not before the saints?” (1 Corinthians 6:1).
TEXT — 1 Corinthians 6:1-7
Message
Dr Miner of Trenton, New Jersey, a former pastor at Springfield, relates that when Abraham Lincoln was practicing law, a farmer went to ask for his service in a case between him and his neighbour. Lincoln said, “Now if you go on with this, it will cost both of you your farms and entail an enmity that will last for generations and perhaps lead to murder.” He made the two men sit in his office and locked them in while he went to dinner. The two men, finding themselves imprisoned, burst into laughter and settled before Mr. Lincoln returned. Settling disputes out of court is far cheaper than the cost of a lawsuit.
Apostle Paul frowned at believers in the Corinthian Church who refused to resolve their disputes amicably among themselves, but preferred filing lawsuits against one another in the civil court. Rather than take one another to court, such matters should be tabled before leaders in the church for settlement. Litigation contradicts the Christian spirit of love, forgiveness and forbearance.
We must understand that we will offend others sometimes. But we must learn to forgive and forget. When believers drag other brethren before the worldly courts, it demeans Christianity and makes a mockery of our teachings of peace, forbearance, love and unity.
If we are true followers of Christ, we will obey the command of the Lord to love and forgive one another. We will also follow the principle He has laid down for resolving differences. There is no joy in winning a lawsuit against another brother or sister and losing the love and joy in fellowship.
Thought for the day
Litigation degrades the Christian spirit of fellowship.
Listed among “500 most powerful people on the planet” by the Foreign Policy magazine in 2013, Pastor (Dr.) William F. Kumuyi is the founder and General Superintendent of the Deeper Christian Life Ministry (DCLM) headquartered in Lagos, Nigeria. DCLM started in 1973 as a 15-member Bible study group right in Kumuyi’s apartment at University of Lagos where he was a lecturer. His revolutionary Bible teaching on personal holiness and commitment to evangelism soon gained so much traction and resulted in a widespread revival.
Litigation contradicts the Christian spirit of love, forgiveness, and forbearance… litigation degrades the Christian spirit of fellowship.
Thank God for His Love…
O lord give me the grace to for give .
Litigation contradicts the Christian spirit of love, forgiveness, and forbearance… litigation degrades the Christian spirit of fellowship.
Thank God for His Love…