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NASB | 1 Corinthians 6:7 ¶ 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? |
AMPLIFIED 2015 | 1 Corinthians 6:7 ¶ Why, the very fact that you have lawsuits with one another is already a defeat. Why not rather be wronged? Why not rather be defrauded? |
Bible Question:
Over 2 years ago our church ("church a") merged with another local church ("church b"). For this discussion I will call my original Church "church a" and the other church "church b" and the combined church "church c". At the time the other church,"church b", had only a handful of families as members and they were in a financial bind. However "church b" had a nice "church b"uilding. We, "church a", were in search of a building as we had outgrown our existing building. To make a long story short "church a" merged with "church b" to form "church c". The building originally belonged to "church b" but with the merger now it belonged to both "church a" and "church b" which became "church c". For "church c" no Sr Pastor was chosen nor is there a Sr Pastor currently. What happened is that 3 pastors from "church a" (none of which were appointed Sr pastors of either church) and the pastor of "church c" were given alternating sermon speaking times every sunday. Elders/Board members were chosen from both congregations to form the new board of elders for "church c". This all happened about 2 or so years ago. Now the original leaders of "church b" have sued the leaders of "church a" and in effect "church c". The leaders of "church b" did this according to their claim of some of the following: 1. They have uneqal representation on the board 2. They want sermons in a specific language 3. They claim misuse of funds These are a few of the issues - they have others listed. Number 1 and 3 listed above are BTW false. One day me and some members came to the building and found the locks changed and a note was posted that any members of "church c" is barred from entering and it would be coinsidered tresspassing and that they would be prosecuted to full extent of the law. They had filed a lawsuit against "church a"/"church c". Their claims of injustice or any other complaints were not made aware to the general congregation before they claimed a lawsuit. They made no attempt at trying to resolve the issue within the church. However, they do claim that complaints were made to the board with no action - I do not know if that is true but no complaints were brought to the general congregation. Also, "church b" was to have filed a title/deed change according to the merger papers. "church b" failed to ever do this. Becuase of this reason they are claiming the property is theirs and that they want exclusive access to the property and do not want to worship with "church a" or "church c". They want to be a standalone "church b". The official hearing is not until September sometime. The court in the meantime has ordered "church b" to comply with "church c"'s needs. "church b" is allowed/given worship time in the building when "church c" does not meet. My question is not a legal question. Rather I want to know if it is Biblically right or wrong for "church a"/c to continue defending itself (continue to fight for the building). Even though legally "church c" may be in the right here and may eventually end up winning - is it right to continue with the lawsuit or should "church c" just give it up to "church b" and search for another building some point in the future? This may mean that existing "church c" members will for sometime have to meet in member homes or some other location. My thinking is that we (church c) should just give up and move on. My rational is based on the scripture here in 1 Corinthians 7. Am I right in interpretting this Or is it right to defend the rights of your church? |
Bible Answer: By considering 1 Corinthians 6:1-9 carefully, you should be able to come to a conclusion. However, reading and understanding God's Word and living by it are two different things! We read: "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. Or do you not know that the unrighteous will not inherit the kingdom of God?" |
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Bauhinia |