1 Corinthians 6:1-11
(Use the link below to read the verses.)
Television
can make dysfunction funny. Take the successful TV series The Office
which aired from 2005-2013. The setting was a paper
distribution company called Dunder Mifflin. With a variety of quirky characters that you might find
in any office anywhere, dysfunction seemed to be the guiding principle of the
show.
Most
likely the reason that a dysfunctional office is funny is because we can relate
to it and identify with the quirky characters. In reality though, dysfunction
is the result of our sinful nature and not to be taken lightly.
Consider
King David. Although a man after God’s own heart, he had no clue when it came
to the dysfunction of his family. Amnon, one of David’s sons, raped his
step-sister, Tamar. When David didn’t do anything about it, her biological
brother, Absalom, killed Amnon. In this case, it sounds like dysfunction gone
wild.
The
church at Corinth seems to have been the definition of a dysfunctional church.
They struggled with everything from divisions over leadership to immorality and
incest to favoritism based on status. It’s hard to imagine that they had any
redeeming qualities. Yet, Paul had enough hope in them that he didn’t give up.
Whatever you do, don’t let it become, dysfunction go wild.
In
the verses today, Paul wrote about lawsuits amongst believers in the church. Here
is yet another example of the Corinthian believers not being able to work and
play well together; an example of their dysfunction. Paul makes these
observations.
5 I am saying this to shame you. Isn’t there anyone in all the
church who is wise enough to decide these issues? 6 But
instead, one believer sues another—right in front of unbelievers! 7 Even
to have such lawsuits with one another is a defeat for you. Why not just accept
the injustice and leave it at that? Why not let yourselves be cheated? 8 Instead,
you yourselves are the ones who do wrong and cheat even your fellow believers. NLT
You
may not have ever taken another believer to court, but conflict starts small
and builds to a crescendo. It begins with a something little between an
employer and employee, or two business owners, or neighbors or between husband
and wife.
Conflict
is a part of the human predicament. It happens every day of our lives. The
question is how will you deal with it? Paul suggests working things out, finding
a mediator or just accepting the injustice.
Whatever you do, don’t let it become, dysfunction go wild.
(If
God has spoken to you through this blog, please feel free to share it with
others.)
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