This morning as I was reading and studying, I was reminded that as Christ followers, we are to resolve our differences with other Christ followers with them and not through the law of man. We are all family members and should deal with matters between one another within the family and not involve outsiders. When I have a difference with a brother or sister in Christ I am to go to them and work to resolve as opposed to working through the law of man.
“4So if you have such cases, why do you lay them before those who have no standing in the church? 5I say this to your shame. Can it be that there is no one among you wise enough to settle a dispute between the brothers, 6but brother goes to law against brother, and that before unbelievers?” — 1 Corinthians 6:4-6 (ESV)
How often have I seen that one family member takes things outside to a third party to involve them in the dealings of the family. In the case of brothers and sisters in Christ, it is no different. I am to go to my brother or sister and work with them in the name of Christ to resolve. And as brothers and sisters, an agreement should be found for all of us are to work for Christ and not for ourselves.
“11And such were some of you. 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.” 1 Corinthians 6:11 (ESV)
We are justified by Christ and that gives us the ability to work for His glory and not our own. I know that I have to be reminded that it is He not me that matters. In that I am willing to make concessions to my brothers and sisters and they should be willing to do the same in order to resolve our differences and put God before one another.
There is little if no reason for me to involve man in the affairs of my Christian family. I have to remember that all of me is dedicated to Christ and when working with other Christians, I should work for the LORD in resolving and think of how to impact His work and not my own. I have been justified by Christ and so has my brother or sister in Christ and therefor our actions should not be judged by the law of man, only the law of God. My brothers and sisters are my family and we are able to take care of things in the family and not involve the world.
What differences are getting in the way of your relationships with your brothers and sisters? Are you tending to bring those and work to resolve them through the law of man? What if you kept those things in the family and worked to resolve in the name of Christ, under the law of God for His glory and not your own gain?
Trevor's Thoughts 