People Problems
- Bishop Keith Butler
- Jun 20, 2024
- 2 min read
Dare any of you, having a matter against another, go to law before the unjust, and not before the saints? 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? Know ye not that we shall judge angels? how much more things that pertain to this life? If then ye have judgments of things pertaining to this life, set them to judge who are least esteemed in the church. 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? (1 Corinthians 6:1-5)
When two or more people come together, there are bound to be problems, issues, and contention. In 1 Corinthians 6:1-5, Paul addressed how we should handle disputes between believers. He told the Corinthian church they should not be taking their legal matters before secular courts to sue a fellow believer. The resolution of their conflict can and should happen in the church. After all, why should Christians air their dirty laundry in the public for all to see? Why would you trust a secular judge over a godly pastor?
Paul explained that as saints, we will one day judge angels. If believers are entrusted with such a weighty responsibility in the future, then surely, we can handle small or large disputes among ourselves.
As members of the body of Christ, we are called to uphold the principles of God’s Word. When conflicts arise, we should go directly to the person and strive for restoration and peace. If that doesn’t happen, we should seek help from those within our local body of believers. Our actions in this life have eternal significance.
Disputes will happen. You cannot stop that. However, we can choose to deal with those tension filled moments with wisdom, grace, and a commitment to uphold the values of God's kingdom.
Practical Application
Don’t allow a suffered wrong to fester in your emotions and thoughts. When something happens between you and another believer, be brave enough to bring it up, work it out and, if necessary, involve the church in helping through the moment.
