Lawsuits.  And that among believers.

“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?  Instead, you yourselves cheat and do wrong, and you do this to your brothers and sisters” (1 Cor 6:7-8).

These lawsuits were evidence that they had been defeated.  Completely.  It meant that they were cheating and wrong each other.  And the fact that they would sue a brother or sister in Christ was proof that love had dissipated.

It is the sign of defeat.

Of all people, there should be love and respect among believers.  Yet this had gone away.

Obviously people are at different places maturity wise.  But the fact that they continued to cheat one another and do wrong is sign that they are not walking with the ways of the Lord.

Paul says it would be better to be wronged and cheated than to bring a lawsuit between Christians before unbelieving judges.  If you need arbitration, go to other brothers and sisters.  But to do this before the unbelievers is a shame.

In theory, this is something that may be found to be easy.  Just take the blows.  But in reality in this lawsuit culture, it becomes very different.  So many people claim to take on Christ.  Without persecution, the distinction is less obvious. Add to that we live in a highly legalized world where legal matters are in overabundance.

But the fact remains, this is what it says.  How do we live this out?  Are there Christian arbitration centers?