15 June 2005

Today we enter chapter 6 of 1 Corinthians.

When any of you has a grievance against another, do you dare to take it to court before the unrighteous, instead of taking it before the saints? Do you not know that the saints will judge the world? And if the world is to be judged by you, are you incompetent to try trivial cases? Do you not know that we are to judge angels - to say nothing of ordinary matters? If you have ordinary cases, then, do you appoint as judges those who have no standing in the church? I say this to your shame. Can it be that there is no one among you wise enough to decide between one believer and another, but a believer goes to court against a believer - and before unbelievers at that? (1 Cor. 6:1-6)

Some might want to write off this talk about legal action off to the notion that Paul and the folks of the infant church expected the end to be coming around the corner and therefore, the bar is set quite differently in regard to how we are to act. Remember though, that Paul is talking about what goes on among those in the body - how do we who claim Christ as Lord, live with one another as a new age people?!? If there needed to be a legal claim made against someone outside of the community, there was a place for that - the courts of Corinth. But inside the church, they are given a new life in which they have the full authority to make peace and come to terms of reconciliation and forgiveness. (I said "they" but let us read "we"). The tough language is like the language used on a child by a parent. "This is who we are...we do not do that!...and this is just how important it is." Sometimes that language can only sound like harsh threat and judgment. It is our task to listen for the foundation - the life of Christ among us - to hear how good news can bring us into an alternate life.

Connection: We must be this body of Christ. The life within this body is beyond our imagination. Maybe that is why we so often run from it and choose another life. That is also why it is so important for us to feed each other with Christ's love - that we too will be formed in that image.

Make us witnesses to your loving Reign, O God. We will not go there on our own. We long for your Spirit to plant us within a life filled with your love. Amen.