Changing Perspectives

Introduction

We live in a litigious culture. Quick to take someone to court. What did the lawyer name his daughter? It is often said that in today’s world that there are different rules for the wealthy. The wealthy can afford better lawyers and are able to avoid prosecution. Perhaps there is some truth to that but in Paul’s day it was absolutely true. Cicero, a philosopher, lawyer, and politician who died in the first century in a speech said, “the courts will never convict any man, however guilty, if only has money.” Apuleius, a 2nd century novelist and writer, claimed that “all our judges nowadays sell their judgments for money.”

Bribery of judges was quite common in Paul’s day. During Paul’s extended stay in prison at Caesarea, Felix the Roman governor of the area brought Paul in frequently for chats hoping that Paul would offer him a bribe to let him go (Acts 24:26). This was common practice. It was no different in Corinth. The wealthy often took the less wealthy to court in order to secure property or to increase wealth. A payment to a judge insured that the case would be ruled in favor of the wealthy. It is in this atmosphere that Paul writes chapter 6. The text is not difficult to understand, but the implications are much more profound.

Lawsuits

We are left to make educated guesses about what is happening in Corinth. We know that believers are taking other believers to court. We know that the disputes are inconsequential overall. These would be court cases that might be termed civil cases in today’s terms rather than criminal cases. We can guess that given the nature of courts in Paul’s day that the wealthy are taking less wealthy to court. The courts were of no help to the poor and less influential. What Paul says unequivocally is that this practice must stop. In fact in verse 5, he says he is writing these things to shame the Corinthians. Previously in chapter 4, he had made the statement that he wasn’t trying to shame them but now he is. The practice of taking fellow believers to court must stop.

How does Paul shame them? In verse 1 he calls the judges “ungodly” as translated in the NIV but the word he uses is unjust. They are taking fellow believers before unjust judges to settle the dispute. How could they appeal to a badly broken legal system to help settle the dispute. Second, in verse 2 he appeals to what is to come to shame them. The day is coming when they will share in the judgment of the world. If they are going to share in judgment of the world surely they have enough sense to handle a simple dispute. The idea is that believers will share in the ultimate victory with Christ over this world. Thus, there is little reason to subject yourself to a world that will be defeated to find justice.

Verse 4 is difficult to translate. Paul’s writings did not include punctuation so the context helps us to decide if he is asking a question or making a statement. Based on a number of factors, it appears that Paul is using sarcasm to make his point. This third statement deeply shames them because it turns things upside down. Paul’s admonishes them to use the least members to settle the disputes. In other words, the wealthy are use to a system of bribery and competition. Why not use the least influential to decide these small disputes. They have more wisdom and justice than the current system.

Paul writes that the lawsuit mentality must stop and instead be replaced. Surely there is enough wisdom among them to settle the disputes. But even if that isn’t the case (and it is the case), then they should take on a different perspective. Instead of seeking to be compensated for the wrong done against them; instead of seeking resolution through unjust courts; instead of seeking justice, Paul writes that they should let it go. Let yourself be mistreated. Allow yourself to be cheated. Allow yourself to be wronged. That is how the believer responds to fellow believers rather than seeking restitution. Don’t you know this didn’t set well with them?

Paul expands their perspective. If they continue to pursue the remedy they are seeking through the courts they will wrong their brothers and such actions will result in missing out on the kingdom of God. Paul puts this kind of conduct in which one believer sues another believer and uses an unjust system to harm a fellow believer as no different than the sexually immoral, adulterers, those who participate in homosexual acts, thieves, greedy, drunkards, swindlers, and slanderers. Not an exhaustive list but the kicker comes next. He has just described the quality of life that many in Corinth had before they became followers of Jesus. But now they are no longer those things. The point --- give up thinking like this world and think like the one who follows Jesus.

Application

There are two lessons about perspective that we need to understand from this text. The first has to do with our perspective toward each other. Paul’s point in verse 7 is very challenging. As it pertains to each other, we should allow ourselves to be hurt, wronged, or cheated rather than seek retaliation. These are the words of Jesus --- turn the other cheek; if compelled to go one mile go two; pray for your enemies. What this world needs to see from us is love. Sooner or later someone will intentionally or unintentionally hurt us. When that happens Paul’s words remind us that we who follow Jesus have a different view of this life. I am not suggesting saying nothing. When sinned against we must confront and give opportunity for repentance but we do that out of love not malice. There are some things that are more important than trying to make everything right. When we relegate our lives to winners and losers then we have not allowed Jesus to change our thinking. Remember 4:12-13.

Second, our perspective toward God and his kingdom. No matter the heinousness of what has been done, God is able to forgive. It isn’t possible to remain committed to sin and commit to God at the same time. God requires change. Change in heart and change in conduct. We cannot hang on to the thinking of this world and be okay with God. But God is able and willing to forgive as we change. When we come to God, allow ourselves to be baptized we are made holy and pronounced righteous. Such a change is not temporary. It is permanent. We cannot claim to love God and live as we please. Our God calls us to change and with that change comes not only a new perspective on life but a place in God’s kingdom. As Paul reminds us this is a defeated world. Being part of God’s kingdom results in victory over this defeated world. You can choose to win here or you can be part of the victorious kingdom of God, but you cannot have both.

To win is to lose.

To be great is to be servant.

To be first we must be last.

To win now is to lose later.

The ways of this world have nothing to offer us. The glory of God’s kingdom is found in repentance and change so that we can share in God’s grace and victory.

Invitation.

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