1 Corinthians 6:1-11
6 If any of you has a dispute with another, dare he take it before the ungodly for judgment instead of before the saints? 2 Do you not know that the saints 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, appoint as judges even men of little account in the church!a 5 I say this to shame you. Is it possible that there is nobody among you wise enough to judge a dispute between believers? 6 But instead, one brother goes to law against another—and this in front of unbelievers!
7 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? 8 Instead, you yourselves cheat and do wrong, and you do this to your brothers.
9 Do you not know that the wicked will not inherit the kingdom of God? Do not be deceived: Neither the sexually immoral nor idolaters nor adulterers nor male prostitutes nor homosexual offenders 10 nor thieves nor the greedy nor drunkards nor slanderers nor swindlers will inherit the kingdom of God. 11 And that is what some of you were. But you were washed, you were sanctified, you were justified in the name of the Lord Jesus Christ and by the Spirit of our God.
Quick Notes
We live in a sue first culture. In many ways, we are encouraged to sue instead of find ways to offer forgiveness and restoration. We hate the how it feels to be wronged and cheated. We want revenge. We want blood. But the way of Christ is the way of forgiveness. We have several opportunities to hold grudges against others, but because of the holy washing we received by Christ, we are to offer forgiveness, not revenge. This is possibly one of the hardest things for us to do, but it is the right thing to do.
Quick Questions
Have you ever wanted someone to pay for how they have treated you? Have you ever sought revenge? Have you ever prayed for the one who has wronged you? Have you offered them love and forgiveness and Jesus to them?
Quick Prayer
Lord, how quickly I forget that you forgave me in my bleakest moment whenever I want others to suffer. Let me live as the forgiven so I can forgive. Amen.
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