How do I measure myself?

1 Corinthians 6:1-11

¹ When one of you has a dispute with another believer, how dare you file a lawsuit and ask a secular court to decide the matter instead of taking it to other believers! ² Don’t you realize that someday we believers will judge the world? And since you are going to judge the world, can’t you decide even these little things among yourselves? ³ Don’t you realize that we will judge angels? So you should surely be able to resolve ordinary disputes in this life. ⁴ If you have legal disputes about such matters, why go to outside judges who are not respected by the church? 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.

⁹ Don’t you realize that those who do wrong will not inherit the Kingdom of God? Don’t fool yourselves. Those who indulge in sexual sin, or who worship idols, or commit adultery, or are male prostitutes, or practice homosexuality, ¹⁰ or are thieves, or greedy people, or drunkards, or are abusive, or cheat people—none of these will inherit the Kingdom of God. ¹¹ Some of you were once like that. But you were cleansed; you were made holy; you were made right with God by calling on the name of the Lord Jesus Christ and by the Spirit of our God.

How do you respond when a believer questions or calls out your behaviour, beliefs or attitudes? Paul’s outburst in this passage shows his frustration with the Corinthian believers/church who were clearly having a few issues. (The surrounding passages deal with sexual sin.) Paul is unhappy with immature and ungodly behaviour between church members which is being played out in the public arena.

The issues at play are irrelevant to us, but it’s made me think about what my response might be if it was my behaving called into question. We are all capable at times of poor judgment, of being petty when we feel offended or badly done by, or demanding or rights. So am I humble enough to examine my own behaviour and I am I then open to correction or change? Or would I be proud and stubborn and double down on actions that might feel edifying to me but may not necessarily reflect God’s goodness? This passage is not about covering up or denying due process of law. It is however about remembering how we behave towards others, and in particular to other believers, is being watched by those around us. It is perhaps our subconscious behaviour that reveals our true hearts. The same grace God has extended to us, we can extend to others. There is always room for repentance and restoration in relationships if we are prepared to look for it. So how do I respond if I am rightly rebuked? Hopefully I will always be prepared to consider my actions and motivations. Ultimately this life of Faith is not about my comfort, it must firstly be about bringing glory to God. Is that the measure you and I are holding against our actions?

Heavenly Father, I pray that you would give me ears to hear your voice and eyes to see my inner self. I pray, Lord, you would give me the courage to admit where I am wrong and the strength to walk faithfully in your will for my life. Thank you for all that you have done for me. In the mighty name of Jesus.  Amen

Written by Christine Knight