1 Corinthians 6:1-4 

¹ If any of you has a dispute with another, do you dare to take it before the ungodly for judgment instead of before the Lord’s people? ² Or do you not know that the Lord’s people will judge the world? And if you are to judge the world, are you not competent to judge trivial cases? ³ Do you not know that we will judge angels? How much more the things of this life! ⁴ Therefore, if you have disputes about such matters, do you ask for a ruling from those whose way of life is scorned in the church?

Not a Judge

Have you ever heard someone said, “Don’t judge if you are not a judge!”

Have you searched if there is biblical truth in that statement? Together, let us read meditatively what it narrated in Luke 12:13-14, ¹³Someone in the crowd said to him, “Teacher, tell my brother to divide the inheritance with me.” ¹⁴Jesus replied, “Man, who appointed me a judge or an arbiter between you?”

The Lord Jesus Christ could have easily advised the brothers to settle their dispute in brotherly way, but he did not. The Lord knows that many siblings can’t harmoniously agree when it comes to inheritance. Additionally, he had implied that there’re appointed authorities who may settle civil disputes legally. The Lord had instructed also in Luke 6:37, ³⁷Do not judge, and you will not be judged. 

Unless of course you’re legally mandated to execute judgment, the Lord commanded us not to judge others. It is human instinct to judge others and the Lord forbids us, why? Humans are bias according to preferences. We favor things we prefer or things that may excite us. Obedience to the Lord’s command not to judge is actually favorable to us or else, others may judge us also.

We seek his help to obey the Lord. Seriously, let’s reflect on John 16:13-15;

¹³ When the Spirit of truth comes, he will guide you into all the truth. He will not speak on his own; he will speak only what he hears, and he will tell you what is yet to come. ¹⁴ He will glorify me because it is from me that he will receive what he will make known to you. ¹⁵ All that belongs to the Father is mine. That is why I said the Spirit will receive from me what he will make known to you.

Jesus Christ is the Way, the Truth, and the Life; what he says is truth. His Holy Spirit guides us into all the truth, if we depend on him. Jesus is the way to the truth of eternal life. Is this life in Christ limited to life in heaven? Or does it also include practical life favorable to anyone who confidently relies upon him?

It testifies to faith in Christ when everything we do brings glory to him now until forever. Pray that the peace of God prevails among us instead of dispute.

1.  Dispute

¹ If any of you has a dispute with another, do you dare to take it before the ungodly for judgment instead of before the Lord’s people? 

Disputes that may happen in large churches are not secretive to the media. Maybe the Lord prevents some churches from becoming popular so that the media may ignore them. If a church dispute headlines in the news, people who do not believe in God can be confused. They expect harmony among church people.

Church dispute was a challenging concern in the first century Christianity until now. If church dispute is about doctrinal belief, it is best to resolve internally. But there are also practical concerns that could legally affect church attendees.

Apostle Paul rebuked the church in Corinth; he told them not charged each other in a secular court. The church should settle church disputes internally.

For example, if church attendees have disputes or quarrels about finances, should the church settle disputes about private matters? Let us reflect on what it advised us in James 1:5, ⁵If any of you lacks wisdom, you should ask God, who gives generously to all without finding fault, and it will be given to you.

Godly wisdom helps us to settle private problems or church related issues. By faith we trust godly wisdom helps us decide for the best of everyone involved.

Pharaoh

Imagine this: Pharaoh had a disturbing dream. And Joseph a prisoner told him that there will be famine in the next few years; he advised him to prepare for famine. If you were Pharaoh, will you trust a prisoner you never met before? Will you assign a former prisoner to govern your country? Yet, that was exactly what happened to Joseph. In Genesis 41:38-40, ³⁸ Pharaoh asked them, “Can we find anyone like this man, one in whom is the spirit of God?” ³⁹ Then Pharaoh said to Joseph, “Since God has made all this known to you, there is no one so discerning and wise as you. ⁴⁰ You shall be in charge of my palace, and all my people are to submit to your orders. Only with respect to the throne will I be greater than you.”

The God who gave Joseph proper interpretation of Pharaoh’s dream, can you accept that God himself gave wisdom to Pharaoh and assigned Joseph to be the Prime Minister of Egypt? If God gave the right decision to Pharaoh, we also trust God gives us godly wisdom to decide individually and as a church. Agree?

Together, let us seriously meditate on James 3:13-18, ¹³ Who is wise and understanding among you? Let them show it by their good life, by deeds done in the humility that comes from wisdom. ¹⁴ But if you harbor bitter envy and selfish ambition in your hearts, do not boast about it or deny the truth. ¹⁵ Such “wisdom” does not come down from heaven but is earthly, unspiritual, demonic. 

¹⁶ For where you have envy and selfish ambition, there you find disorder and every evil practice. ¹⁷ But the wisdom that comes from heaven is first of all pure; then peace-loving, considerate, submissive, full of mercy and good fruit, impartial and sincere. ¹⁸ Peacemakers who sow in peace reap a harvest of righteousness.

Sadly, we cannot always prevent when confused individuals may behave otherwise. But personally, we should aim for harmony among us. Let us regularly pray for us to be filled with the Holy Spirit. When the Holy Spirit produces joyful peace in us, we can expect that our decisions will bring glory to the Lord. Amen!

2.  Decision

² Or do you not know that the Lord’s people will judge the world? And if you are to judge the world, are you not competent to judge trivial cases? ³ Do you not know that we will judge angels? How much more the things of this life! 

Previously, we are advised not to judge those outside the church. Yet here, we are informed that proper time will come when we judge the world. What does it imply? Expect that the Lord signals the perfect time for believers to judge the world and even angels. But at present, we live in this mortal body; our physical and intellectual abilities are limited. Sinful tendency can influence bias judgment.

We may favor what we prefer; we can be prejudice to what we do not like. We don’t know what the future brings; we should work as if we work for the Lord.

Undercover Boss

How do you like the show “Undercover Boss?” The show features an owner who pretends as ordinary applicant; he works at particular branch of his company where they have not known him as company owner. A restaurant for example: If he applied as waiter, he does the work of a waiter and observes all employees.

At the end of the show, the undercover boss reveals his true identity to employees; he rewards, compensates employees who perform diligently.

That TV show practically illustrates how God may compensate kindness, goodness and hospitality. What do you think? It is very advisable to attentively reflect on Hebrews 13:2, ²Do not forget to show hospitality to strangers, for by so doing some people have shown hospitality to angels without knowing it.

How do you personally interpret what it suggested in Hebrews 1:14, ¹⁴Are not all angels ministering spirits sent to serve those who will inherit salvation?

Have you seen an angel? Can you recognize angels? It is advisable to show kindness and goodness to everyone. We don’t know when the Lord will send his angels to help us. They may simulate individuals that we don’t necessarily expect.

Pray that the Lord will keep us from prejudice and favoritism. It is common for anyone to favor celebrities and disregard infamous or ordinary individuals.

3.  Disregard

⁴ Therefore, if you have disputes about such matters, do you ask for a ruling from those whose way of life is scorned in the church? 

The term “scorned” is also translated as “disregard, ignore or despise.” When church dispute is about doctrines and beliefs, we consult the Scripture and not what secular court decides. Would that suggest that the church scorns and disregards what outsiders think or say about our beliefs? We do not totally reject the government. We also want to testify that we are citizens of good standing.

We are advised in Colossians 4:5-6, ⁵ Be wise in the way you act toward outsiders; make the most of every opportunity. ⁶ Let your conversation be always full of grace, seasoned with salt, so that you may know how to answer everyone.

Pandemic

Sometimes we may not agree with the government but we also want to exemplify that we are also responsible citizens of good standing. For example: During the pandemic, we abide by the advisory issued by the government.

You have heard of reports about some groups of Christians who may have disregarded advisory from the government. But for us, we chose to abide.

Was it biblical or unbiblical to follow government advisory about health?

Since there’s no literal instruction to disregard advisory about pandemic, we choose to be responsible citizens and not to be inconvenience to anyone. Additionally, travelling abroad becomes more convenient practically, if you are carrying your government issued vaccination or immunization certificates. Right?

The Lord Jesus himself did not agree with everything that the government may have implemented during his time on earth. He did not even argue when he was accused falsely. He endured persecution and torture that he could have easily evaded but, he did not. Yet despite the suffering he endured, he willingly obeyed God the Father even to his death on the cross. If Christ fought for his right, and resisted those who accused and tortured him, he saved himself but we are lost.

Can you believe that any circumstance that God allows us to encounter is designed for our betterment? It doesn’t matter even if we agree or don’t agree.

Let’s reflect on what the Lord instructed in Luke 21:13-19? ¹³ And so you will bear testimony to me. ¹⁴ But make up your mind not to worry beforehand how you will defend yourselves. ¹⁵ For I will give you words and wisdom that none of your adversaries will be able to resist or contradict.  ¹⁶ You will be betrayed even by parents, brothers and sisters, relatives and friends, and they will put some of you to death. ¹⁷ Everyone will hate you because of me. ¹⁸ But not a hair of your head will perish. ¹⁹ Stand firm, and you will win life.

Have you ever had experienced when the person you trusted or expected to defend you was the very person who betrayed you? The Lord prophesied such unpleasant situation may happen to believers. We’ve got to resolve in our heart not worry of our situation but have firm confidence in God’s great plan for us.

Speaking of God’s plan for us a church, the Board of Trustees prayed and planned for probable ministry activities and involvements we may participate in the year 2024. In little while, the chairman of the Board of Trustees will present to us a proposed church budget for 2024; we will vote for approval two weeks later.

Several years ago, some church members had declined their nomination to the Board of trustees. They did not want to participate in the leadership ministry because they do not like to attend the Board of Trustees meetings. Accordingly, Board of Trustees meetings had consumed several hours of their time, and they may have thought that those meetings were just waste of their time.

You know what? Someone observed in the past few years that the Board of Trustees meeting has been shorter as compared to Board of Trustees in the past.

Thank you for your prayer, and continue to keep praying for our Board of Trustees. Only by the grace of God they can endure and enjoy the demands of leadership responsibilities. And truly, it is by the grace of God that our church leaders can serve the Lord in his church with peace and joy in their heart.

Individually, we often endure unpleasant situation. Seek to be filled with the Holy Spirit and have joyful peace as proof of stronger relationship with Christ.

Together, let us take this time to pray for our church leaders so that they may gladly serve the Lord and wisely make decisions that brings glory to the Lord. We also ask the Lord fill us with his Holy Spirit always even when we are unaware.

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