LET
IT GO!
1
Cor 6:7
7
Now
therefore there is utterly a fault among you, because ye go to law one with
another. Why do ye not rather take wrong? why do ye not rather suffer
yourselves to be defrauded?
Rom
12:17-19
17
Recompense
to no man evil for evil. Provide things honest in the sight of all men.
18
If
it be possible, as much as lieth in you, live peaceably with all men.
19
Dearly
beloved, avenge not yourselves, but rather give place unto wrath: for it is
written, Vengeance is mine; I will repay, saith the Lord.
The
Corinthians,
like their Greek neighbors, were a very litigious society. America is like
them. The estimated annual cost to the US economy for civil lawsuits is $233
billion. Paul advised against this urging the church members to simply “take”
wrong doing.
The
Greek word
for “take wrong” is adikeo and indicates a moral, social, or
physical injustice. Paul urged his readers to just take it or to just let it
go. He then gives a few reasons why this would be the Christian thing to do.
First,
it is a poor testimony of what the grace of God has done for us. We have
received undeserved good from our grossly offended God. We who deserved only
condemnation and punishment have received instead only forgiveness and mercy.
We should reflect that in our daily relationships.
Second,
believers will one day participate in the judgment of the world and of
fallen angels. If we are wise enough to settle their differences then we should
be able, as a church, to settle differences here on earth. Paul seems to be
suggesting a binding church tribunal instead of a civil court. One has to wonder
what that would look like.
Have
you been wronged?
Do you simmer and boil with resentment? Do you seek ways to exact payment or
punishment for the debts you feel are owed to you? Perhaps you would have more
peace if you simply let it go.
Dear
Lord, let me, in my mind, write “paid in full” upon the debts owed to me. Thank
you for doing that for me on Calvary! AMEN
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