CHRISTIANS & LAWSUIT
Can a Christian sue another Christian?
When
we first came to the USA, there used to be a repeated ad on Television about an attorney who seems to get you out of any legal problem. All you need is to call
1-800-Call Jim. It appeared that anyone could sue anyone, and Jim Sokolov has
all the legal answers. The United States
has more lawsuits per 100,000 people than any other country. We have a
prestigious Law School in our state. Harvard's John M. Olin Center for Law,
Economics and Business published a report in 2010 that measured various
aspects of the legal systems of the U.S., U.K., Japan, France, Canada, and
Australia."[1]
It is fascinating to read their findings
What makes so many people sue
others? John Ortberg has an answer, "The bigger our sense of entitlement,
the smaller our sense of gratitude. Our entitlement mindset has led to many lawsuits: when we don't get something we want, we sue
somebody. For instance!
The San Francisco Giants were once
sued for only passing out Father's Day gifts to men. A psychology professor
sued for sexual harassment because of the presence of mistletoe at a Christmas
party. A psychic was awarded $986,000 when a doctor's CAT scan impaired her
psychic abilities. You have to wonder about this third one: If she really was a
psychic, shouldn't she have known not to go to that doctor in the first place?[2]
If non-Christians, resort to suing
others for trivial matters, it is understandable, but can a Christian sue
another Christian? What does the Bible say about lawsuits? We have been
following a series through the first letter to the Corinthian Church where the
Apostle Paul addressed the Corinthian believers on various matters of concern.
In chapter six, verses 1-8, we see how Paul dealt with the apparent lawsuits
among fellow believers.
In chapter five, Paul explained what
to do with open sexual immorality in the congregation. In chapter 6:1-8, he
addressed whether or not Christians should file lawsuits against their fellow
Christians in a secular court of law and how to deal with injustice cheating.
This may not answer all your questions but let's see what we can learn from it.
Vs. 1-3, "When one of you has a
dispute with another believer, how dare you to file a lawsuit and ask a secular
court to decide the matter instead of taking it to other believers! 2 Don't you
realize that someday we believers will judge the world? And since you are going
to judge the world, can't you decide even these little things among yourselves?
3 Don't you realize that we will
judge angels? So, you should surely be able to resolve ordinary disputes in
this life." We should recognize that Paul addresses the Corinthian Church
on specific internal matters, not all Christians everywhere. However, we will
glean principles that might be helpful in how we deal with our disputes with one
another in the family of God.
I.
AVOIDING LAWSUITS WITH CHRISTIANS
Vs. 1, "When one of you has a dispute
with another believer, how dare you to file a lawsuit and ask a secular court
to decide the matter instead of taking it to other believers!" A dispute or grievance with another believer,
this phrase in Greek was commonly used as a "lawsuit."
In speaking of Christians taking
other Christians to court over legal disputes, Paul does not specify any
criminal cases. Some think they are different kinds of property cases. He teaches
elsewhere how significant offenses must be handled by the state (Romans
13:1-7).
By saying, "how dare you,"
Paul strongly admonishes Christians to take their legal grievances for
settlement before qualified Christians. Why did Paul say that Christians should
not take their lawsuits to unbelievers in secular courts? First, when we take
our disputes to secular courts, the non-Christian Judge may not be sensitive to
core Christian values.
Second, when someone goes to court,
often the basis is revenge. As Christians, revenge should never be our motive. Third,
lawsuits harm the credibility of Christians and damage the cause of the gospel.
In verses 2-3, Paul gives a glimpse of believers' role in God's Kingdom.
II
THE ROLE OF BELIEVERS IN GOD'S KINGDOM
Vs. 2-3, "Don't
you realize that someday we believers will judge the world? And since you
are going to judge the world, can't you decide even these little things
among yourselves? Don't you realize that we will judge angels? Here is a
theological reason why certain matters are settled among the believers only.
How do we understand what over future role might be?
Besides translating as to judge, The Greek word, Krino, can also be translated as "to rule and
govern." It is a remarkable reality that believers one day will
participate in judging and ruling the world and having authority over angels. Consider
the following scriptures. Matthew 19:28, "Jesus replied, "I
assure you that when the world is made new, and the Son of Man sits upon his
glorious throne, you who have been my followers will also sit on twelve
thrones, judging the twelve tribes of Israel." This promise was to the
twelve disciples.
How about the believers of all time?
What would be their role in God's future Kingdom? Rev 2:26-28, "To all who
are victorious, who obey me to the very end, to them, I will give authority
over all the nations. They will rule the nations with an iron rod and smash
them like clay pots." They will have the same authority I received from my
Father."
In verse three, what did Paul mean by saying, "Don't
you realize that we will judge angels? "Most likely, the meaning of this
passage is that believers in heaven will take part in the judgment of the
fallen angels and exercise some authority over the holy angels. "After dealing
with this subject, John Piper concludes, "Even though I may not know the
specifics of how we will judge angels, the truth of this text is a breathtaking
exaltation of ordinary believers.
It should fill us with a continual
sense of wonder, awe, hope, and joy. It should move us to confident engagement
in helping others live this way, especially believers who conflict with each
other and are tempted to settle that conflict with worldly means rather than Spirit-filled
Christians."[3]
The truth is that the believers one day judge and rule the world and the
angels.
In light of that, how do we live?
How do we settle our conflicts? Do we employ the same worldly means or act as
Spirit-filled Christians? Listen to Paul's advice in verses 3-4.
Vs. 3-4, "Don't you realize
that we will judge angels? So, you should surely be able to resolve ordinary
disputes in this life. If you have legal disputes about such
matters, why go to outside judges who are not respected by the Church?"
Here Paul employs human logic to make his point. He made them realize their
elevated future role as judges of the world and angels. Then he appealed to
their God-given ability to resolve ordinary disputes among themselves.
What could be the ordinary disputes
of our time? In Church, they could be what kind of paint we should use, the
color of the carpet, whether we should have instruments in worship or not, etc.
At home, they could be disputes over recreation, spending money,
property-related issues, etc. Paul argues that we can resolve these matters
among ourselves. How so?
We, believers, have the Holy Spirit
and the mind of Christ, so why should we turn to those who lack God's wisdom?
Moreover, if one day we will judge the world and angels, can we not settle
these ordinary disputes now among ourselves?
In verse five, Paul says it is to our shame that we run to the secular
courts as if we don't have even one wise person among us.
So, next time think twice before
rushing to file a lawsuit against a brother or sister in the family. Maybe you
will find some wisdom among the believers to deal with that matter. On the
other hand, if it is a criminal offense or an act of violence, seek legal
intervention quickly.
III.
CHRISTIANS & LAWSUITS
I want us to look at Christians
& Lawsuits; in general. Can a Christian sue another Christian? This passage
may not adequately answer this question. According to Paul, it may be necessary
to go to court on certain severe matters as he teaches elsewhere. In verses
seven and eight, he explains our general attitude towards lawsuits and how to
handle injustice.
Vs. 7-8, " Even to have such
lawsuits with one another is a defeat for you. Why not
just accept the injustice and leave it at that? Why not let yourselves be
cheated? Instead, you yourselves are the ones who do wrong and cheat even
your fellow believers."
When Christians have lawsuits
against one another in the family of God, it is a total defeat for all of us.
It looked like that was the case with the Corinthian believers; they were a
defeated community through their lawsuits. Paul asked them a couple of
questions.
"Why not just accept the
injustice and leave it at that? Why not let yourselves be cheated?
In
verse eight, he says, "instead, you yourselves are the ones who do wrong
and cheat even your fellow believers." I am not a legal expert to advise
you on handling a divorce situation or other legal matter. But as a shepherd, I
point you to the Chief shepherd when it comes to responding to injustice and
cheating meted against you. Our natural tendency is to take revenge.
But Spirit-filled Christians will
react differently. Romans 12:19, Dear friends, never take revenge. Leave
that to the righteous anger of God. For the Scriptures say, "I will take
revenge; I will pay them back," says the Lord." In closing, consider
how Jesus handled injustice.
Isaiah 53:7-9, "He was
oppressed and treated harshly, yet he never said a word. He was led like a lamb
to the slaughter. And as a sheep is silent before the shearers, he did not open
his mouth. Unjustly condemned, he has led away. He had done no wrong and had
never deceived anyone. But he was buried like a criminal; he was put in a rich
man's grave." Amen!
[1] https://www.acsh.org/news/2019/12/27/blame-and-claim-can-we-fix-americas-uniquely-litigious-culture-14477
[2] John
Ortberg, Sermon "The Great Gratitude Experiment," PreachingToday.com
(11-12-12);
[3]
John Piper, Desiring God https://www.desiringgod.org/interviews/in-what-way-will-christians-judge-angels
