Today’s devotion comes from 1 Corinthians 6:1-8.
“Does any one of you, when he has a case against his neighbor, dare to go to law before the unrighteous and not before the saints? Or do you not know that the saints will judge the world? If the world is judged by you, are you not competent to constitute the smallest law courts? Do you not know that we will judge angels? How much more matters of this life? So if you have law courts dealing with matters of this life, do you appoint them as judges who are of no account in the church? I say this to your shame. Is it so, that there is not among you one wise man who will be able to decide between his brethren, but brother goes to law with brother, and that before unbelievers?
Actually, then, it is already a defeat for you, that you have lawsuits with one another. Why not rather be wronged? Why not rather be defrauded? On the contrary, you yourselves wrong and defraud. You do this even to your brethren.” 1 Corinthians 6:1-8.
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To help us understand the general wisdom of this Scripture, it may help us to understand it in four steps.
First, let us not forget the importance of trying to settle our case before we “go to the law” to file a lawsuit in Court.
“For while you are going with your opponent to appear before the magistrate, on your way there make an effort to settle with him, so that he may not drag you before the judge, and the judge turn you over to the officer, and the officer throw you into prison.” Luke 12:58.
Second, even after the filing a lawsuit, many people try to resolve their cases through mediators for different reasons. But, one of the reasons that many (not all) choose a particular mediator is that they know and trust that particular mediator.
Is it not at least generally better to choose saints that you know and trust to resolve your case, rather than choose the unrighteous whom you do not know and do not trust?
Third, saints possess the wisdom of God and the righteousness of God.
“But by His doing you are in Christ Jesus, who became to us wisdom from God, and righteousness and sanctification, and redemption,” 1 Corinthians 1:20.
“Blessed be the God and Father of our Lord Jesus Christ, who has blessed us with every spiritual blessing in the heavenly places in Christ,” Ephesians 1:3.
“The mouth of the righteous utters wisdom,
And his tongue speaks justice.” Proverbs 37:30.
Is it not at least generally better to choose saints that possess the wisdom of God and the righteousness of God to resolve your case, rather than choose the unrighteous whom are foolish and unrighteous?
“Where is the wise man? Where is the scribe? Where is the debater of this age? Has not God made foolish the wisdom of the world?” 1 Corinthians 1:20.
“Because the foolishness of God is wiser than men, and the weakness of God is stronger than men.” 1 Corinthians 1:25.
Fourth, ultimately, our trust is in Christ.
We trust Christ to provide such saints who can resolve our cases. For example, we read in Scripture: “After these things He gave them judges until Samuel the prophet.” Acts 13:20.
We trust Christ to provide governing authorities.
“Every person is to be in subjection to the governing authorities. For there is no authority except from God, and those which exist are established by God. Therefore whoever resists authority has opposed the ordinance of God; and they who have opposed will receive condemnation upon themselves. For rulers are not a cause of fear for good behavior, but for evil. Do you want to have no fear of authority? Do what is good and you will have praise from the same; for it is a minister of God to you for good. But if you do what is evil, be afraid; for it does not bear the sword for nothing; for it is a minister of God, an avenger who brings wrath on the one who practices evil. Therefore it is necessary to be in subjection, not only because of wrath, but also for conscience’ sake. For because of this you also pay taxes, for rulers are servants of God, devoting themselves to this very thing. Render to all what is due them: tax to whom tax is due; custom to whom custom; fear to whom fear; honor to whom honor.” Romans 13:1-7.
But, more comprehensively and more generally, we trust Christ to provide and uphold government with justice and righteousness.
“6 For a child will be born to us, a son will be given to us;
And the government will rest on His shoulders;
And His name will be called Wonderful Counselor, Mighty God,
Eternal Father, Prince of Peace.
7 There will be no end to the increase of His government or of peace,
On the throne of David and over his kingdom,
To establish it and to uphold it with justice and righteousness
From then on and forevermore.
The zeal of the LORD of hosts will accomplish this.” Isaiah 9:6-7.
Reformed Doctrine Daily Devotions 