When it is right to Judge Part 1

Passage

"Do you not know that we shall judge angels? How much more, things that pertain to this life? If then you have judgments concerning things pertaining to this life, do you appoint those who are least esteemed by the church to judge?"
1 Corinthians 6:3-4 (NKJV)

Pondering

Firstly, it is right for the Church to deal with disputed between members.

In the Church at Corinth there were Christians taking other Christians from the same church to Romans law court to settle differences.Paul said that this was crazy as Christians will ultimately be judges of such matters in the Millennial Kingdom, even judging Angels.

Ideally, Christians should not take other Christians before secular law courts but should offer the matter up for the Church leadership to deal with. A major reason for this is so that the problem does not spill over into the non-believing world, which discredits the Church's witness to the lost.

"Have you ever considered how standing up for your rights - particularly against another Christian, with unbelievers present -- impacts your witness? The entire sixth chapter of 1 Corinthians deals with the issue of a believer taking another believer to court. The bottom line is, it just shouldn't be done.

Unfortunately, much of what the world sees of the church is not good. They see division and strife. They see all manner of disputes, and they don't want to have anything to do with such unloving, uncaring people. Can you blame them?

So then, what should you do if there is a dispute between you and another believer? According to the context of verse above, you should accept the wrong, and let yourself be cheated, unless it is a serious case where you need to bring in Church leaders to help resolve the issue. Ouch! That hurts, but it is the course of action that is preferable to taking your brother or sister to court. After all, in most cases, you would take your brother to court over a material matter, that, from an eternal perspective, really doesn't matter."
(Taken form an article by Rebecca Livermore entitled, "Why Christians Shouldn't Sue Each Other" - http://www.associatedcontent.com/article/205559/why_christians_shouldnt_sue_each_other.html)

Poem

The world will only really see
That we are His disciples,
When they see you loving me
Even when we've been rivals!

Prayer

"Father, the witness of Your Church to the world is very, very important. Help me to love my brother and sister in Christ, especially the unlovable and even those who place themselves as my enemy, so You may shine brightly to the lost. Amen!"