When to “Hold ’em” and When to “Fold”

BIBLE VERSE FOR TODAY… “To have lawsuits at all with one another is already a defeat for you. Why not rather suffer wrong? Why not rather be defrauded?” 1 Corinthians 6:7 ESV

When relationships work there is nothing like it. When relationships “go sour” there is nothing like it. Lines can be drawn, communicating and understanding comes to an end and stalemates occur.

In our modern day system and apparently in Paul’s day when individuals could not settle their grievances on their own, the would go to a judge. The problem Paul addresses is that conflicts between fellow believers was being settled by “secular” means. The “righteous” were being judges by the “unrighteous.”

Paul addresses this issue by pointing out that believers have resources and responsibilities that flow from their connection to Christ. He has already told them, “we have the mind of Christ.” (1 Corinthians 2:16) He now tells them that if they have the role of “judging angels” they should be able to “judge” the things that pertain to this life.

Believers are called to a high responsibility and are called to a higher standard. We are to be those who “seek peace.” We are to be those who are “quick to forgive.” We are to be “slow to speak, quick to listen.”

Paul then calls the Corinthians to a willingness to accept loss or harm over turning to the “unrighteous” to judge contentious issues. He tells them it is better to “suffer wrong” than to cling to “rights” and to turn to the “unrighteous.” He asserts this because “wrong” is the result of the righteous turning to the righteous to judge issues that should be judged by the Church.

In the final analysis Paul wants believers to know that “giving in” is “going up” in God’s eyes. The Lord after all is the final and ultimate judge.

Prayer for today…. Lord give us the confidence to trust in Your ways in every area of our life.