SATURDAY, JUNE 3
1 Corinthians 6:1-3
Revelation 5:9-10

"…the saints shall
judge the world?…"

THE SAINTS WILL JUDGE!

Yesterday, we saw how there may be times when it is valid for Christians to go to court. This involves cases where one is a steward of somebody’s property, or situations where one’s life or that of his family is threatened.

However, this was not the case with the Corinthian Christians. They were hauling their brethren to court over "the smallest matters" (elachistōn, 1 Cor 6:2) of "things that pertain to this life" (biōtika, 1 Cor 6:3). These were issues that involved material possessions that could be settled within the church. There was no need to go to the civil tribunal.

Paul then anticipated the next question from his readers: Are the saints qualified to judge? He answered with an astounding, "Yes!" The Scriptures declare emphatically that one day believers will reign with Christ (Rev 5:9-10). The saints will even be judges over the angels. If believers are going to preside over the prestigious and grave task of judging in the future, then there should be no reason to doubt their qualifications in judging over such matters in the church. They would be most qualified as they have the spiritual mind to resolve all things in a manner that pleases God.

Sadly, there are some who will not show respect for the courts of the church. Just like the Corinthian Christians, they will rather go to the civil courts of the land than resolve matters in a biblical way. They will contrive to be absent when they are called to give testimony before the ecclesiastical courts as they have no desire to solve things in a spiritual way. To their carnal minds, the carnal courts of man are better than the saints’. They fail to understand the implications of the saints’ position in Christ Jesus.

THOUGHT: The church courts function to uphold the truth.
PRAYER: Lord, may justice and truth prevail in my church.