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? 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? Do you not know that we will judge angels? How much more the things of this life! 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? Instead, you yourselves cheat and do wrong, and you do this to your brothers and sisters. I Corinthians 6:1-8
This ministry of mediation that Paul speaks of in this passage is almost completely lost in the modern church. I have visited nearly every kind of church and I have seen internal squabbling in every one of them. I have seen Christians cheat and take advantage of each other in business dealings and rake each other over the coals through nasty divorces.
O, Church, what has happened to turning the other cheek? When was the last time we went two miles with one another when one would sufficed? What wind whipped away our Lord's words, "Give to him that asks of you"? Paul says we are better to be cheated than defeated by our interminable squabbling.
Friend, don't be afraid to take the risk of being a peacemaker. Let us hold each other to the standard that Jesus set and preserve the unity of the Spirit among us.
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