1 Corinthians 6:3-6 "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, appoint as judges even men of little account 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 goes to law against another--and this in front of unbelievers!"
Lord, I forgot that we do judge the angels as Your Saints! So how much more should we be able to judge the things of life? You give wisdom and authority...what more would we need but lovingkindness, mercy, grace and Your justice?
I praise You today for who You are! You would still be God even if You did not create time and the universes and all that is in them! You still would be God if You never created the sun, moon, planets, and man...the jewel of Your creation formed in Your image; let alone love us with the phenominal loveingkindness You show us.
God! All powerful, ALL knowing, ALL loving, ALL truth, ALL mercy, ALL grace, ALL righteousness, ALL forgiving and forbearing, All goodness, NEVER ending, and NEVER changing God!
So, if You are all these things and more, Lord, why is it so hard for us humans...Your kids...to trust You with the little things of life. Paul says here that even the Christian who is of little account (meaning not great in wealth, honor, prestige, or power) has all he needs to judge wrong in the church as long as he is faithful. Why would we go before a pagan court of unbelievers with our issues?
Lord, I know there had to be more than one man in the Corinthian church who should have been able to make judgments between believers. This was a sizable church at the time. It is amazing how we humans can put off the uncomfortable responsibilities You give us and rationalize them away. I know I have been given the responsibility as an older woman and believer to address modesty both at church in the choir and at work. I don't like to have to the one who does that, but You have commanded it, so I do it.
Oh, Lord, if only we Family members would live our lives as You have commanded us:
Love your neighbor as yourselves
Do to others as you would have them do to you
Do not envy or covet
Be content with such as we have, and be grateful
If we are reviled, revile not again
Do not return evil with evil, but return evil with good
Blessed are the peacemakers
Don't let the sun go down on your anger
Love one another as I have loved you
Forgive one another and do not let the seed of bitterness grow giving Satan a foot hold
Love selflessly
Extend grace and mercy
If you have something against a brother, go to him in private and work out the difference.
Only if he will not repent do we go to him again with witnesses, and if he still does not repent, he is to be put out of the church for his good and for the good of the church.
Only then will the church shine like a light and beacon in this dark and perverted world. If we live and act like the unbelieving world, how will any one be able to tell us by our love one for another?
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