Courts of Humanity
“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? I say this to shame you. Is it possible that there is nobody among you wise enough to judge a dispute between believers? But instead, one brother takes another to court—and this in front of unbelievers! The very fact that you have lawsuits among you means you have been completely defeated already. Why not rather be wronged? Why not rather be cheated?”
Today’s Text: 1 Corinthians 6:1-11 (Living Life Daily Devotional)
How do churches get to a place of such defeat? Asking that question, I feel that I already know the answer, having had a glimpse of the pride and sinfulness in my own heart.
Thank God that GCC has never been through the trial of someone suing the church—as far as I know. How shameful would that be? The Apostle Paul is right in that it demonstrates how utterly defeated the church is. The Spirit of God is no longer there.
But none of us should ever get prideful about the fact that we have never been sued, either. The devil is always at the threshold, roaring like a lion, wanting to get at our throats.
If we ever do feel prideful about that fact, we should just ask ourselves Paul’s question, “Why not rather be wronged?” Who among us has the faith and humility to carry such an attitude in our hearts?
And so this challenge from the Apostle Paul is a serious reminder for us of two things, at least: (1) the necessity of humble wisdom and maturity among the leadership of every church, and (2) the priority of relationship in the culture of the church.
You don’t just sue someone you know personally. And humble wisdom and maturity would never let us get to that place of someone suing the church either.
Getting to that place as believers and as a church is certainly not easy, but it’s critical that we do. One thing is for sure. It requires that the leadership of every church be rooted deeply in the word of God.
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ZAMBIA UPDATE
Today is a prep day, but we do have one bit of ministry to do. We get to share the joy of delivering twenty Chromebooks to Twin Palms Academy, courtesy of friends of Canvas. PTL!
If you are unaware of Twin Palms Academy, it is a primary-pre-middle school operated by Twin Palms Baptist Church, our partner. Back in the day, we would send donations every time we visited here for the building of their school. They started out with about 6-7 students and now have about 90. Praise God for His faithfulness!
Please pray for us every day: (1) for safety and health, (2) for a fruitful ministry with the village pastors and wives, married couples at the church, and the young adults, and (3) that God would use us to help bring the gospel to the lost in Zambia.
Pray also that God would use the Chromebooks being donated to grow disciples and advance the gospel in Zambia..
Love you all. Blessings
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Father, You are our Shield and our Protector. We do not take it for granted, and we do not suppose that it is because of our own humility or skill that we have not been sued. You have been gracious to us. Continue to protect us. Give us leaders who are humble, wise, and mature, and rooted deeply in Your word. In Jesus’s name. Amen.
