TUESDAY, JUNE 6
1 Corinthians 6:7-8
Matthew 18:15-20

"…we ought also to
love one another."

CONFLICT RESOLUTION (II)

There are some conflicts of such a scale that they cannot be resolved by informal personal counselling. In such cases, it would be necessary to convene a church court to arbitrate matters. The principle still stands that the involved parties must (1) be humble to accept any correction and restorative actions and (2) be ready to endure wrong for the sake of helping the other party (as taught in Matthew 5:39-41).

Matthew 18:15-20 gives some steps as to how matters are to proceed:

1. Resolve the issue personally with the wrongdoer. If the issue is still unresolved…

2. Bring one or two persons to confer with the wrongdoer to establish every word. If the issue is still unresolved…

3. Raise the issue to the church court for arbitration. If the wrongdoer neglects to hear good counsel, and his actions harm the body of Christ…

4. "…let him be unto thee as an heathen man and a publican" (Matt 18:17), i.e. excommunication.

The whole thrust of the issue in 1 Corinthians 6:1-8 is this: as far as possible do not go to court, but resolve matters among the brethren. Seek reconciliation rather than destruction. The "fault" (1 Cor 6:7) with the Corinthian Christians was their failure to meet the biblical requirement of loving their brother, and thus they "(did) wrong" (1 Cor 6:8, adikeō, to cause damage or mistreat) to one another. The Corinthian Christians were "utterly blinded in making sacred brotherhood a matter of no moment" (Calvin). "Beloved, if God so loved us, we ought also to love one another" (1 John 4:11).

THOUGHT: Am I willing to suffer wrong when required?
PRAYER: Lord, may the love of Christ be seen in my life.