Disputes in the church
Day 587, Saturday, Mar. 21
1 Corinthians 6:1-11
Lawsuits within the church sounds like a big jump from yesterday’s discussion of an incestuous relationship, but it’s not really that different. In both cases the message is that the church—that intense, intimate group of believers gathering in mutual support—has the capacity to judge what is right. (And, if necessary, expel a member who will not accept that judgment.)
Paul says that taking disputes between Christians to the secular courts, rather than resolving them internally, is a bad witness. In verse 6, he said, “But instead, one brother takes another to court—and this in front of unbelievers!”
A danger in this teaching is the tempation to keep things in-house not for resolution, but to avoid accountability. Giving in to this temptation is what has led to much damage for churches that hid sexual abuse rather than confronting it.
Paul also appeals to the need for judgment with grace, though, reminding us that, “you were washed, you were sanctified, you were justified in the name of the Lord Jesus Christ and by the Spirit of our God.”
-Rev. Mark Fleming
Saturday meditation
Psalms 101:1-8
I will sing of your love and justice; to you, Lord, I will sing praise. I will be careful to lead a blameless life—when will you come to me?
I will conduct the affairs of my house with a blameless heart. I will not look with approval on anything that is vile.
I hate what faithless people do; I will have no part in it. The perverse of heart shall be far from me; I will have nothing to do with what is evil.
Whoever slanders their neighbor in secret, I will put to silence; whoever has haughty eyes and a proud heart, I will not tolerate.
My eyes will be on the faithful in the land, that they may dwell with me; the one whose walk is blameless will minister to me.
No one who practices deceit will dwell in my house; no one who speaks falsely will stand in my presence.
Every morning I will put to silence all the wicked in the land; I will cut off every evildoer from the city of the Lord.
Prayer focus
Let me conduct the affairs of my house with a blameless heart, and not look with approval on anything that is vile.