Bible Study Are lawsuits unchristian?

[arunangelo]

The scriptures are very clear about forgiveness and mercy. In James 2:13 we are told that mercy is above law. In Matt. 6:14-15 we are told that we would not be forgiven if we do not forgive others. In the Lord’s Prayer (Luke 6:12) we ask God to forgive us the way we forgive others. In Luke 17:4 Jesus tells us that we must forgive others repeatedly. In Romans 12: 17-21 Paul tells us to not pay evil with evil, never take revenge, feed our enemy, not allow evil to defeat us and to over come evil with good. He further tells us in 1Cor. 6:7 that a legal dispute is a sign of our complete failure; and that it is better to be wronged or robbed than to wrong others or rob them.

In the Old covenant people lived by the laws that were written by letters carved on stone (2 Cor. 3:7). Therefore, it was, eye for an eye and a tooth for a tooth (Lv. 24:20). In the New Covenant, we live by the Spirit; which means, the Spirit of God is imprinted on our fleshy hearts (2 Cor. 3:3). We are therefore, taught (Matt. 5: 39-40; Luke 6: 30; Matt. 5: 44) to offer no resistance to the person who is evil; offer the other cheek when struck on one; if any one sues us for our tunic, hand him our cloak as well; give to everyone who asks and do not demand back what others have taken from us; love our enemies; and pray for those persecute us.

When we wronged God and rejected His friendship, He did not sue us or take revenge, or condemn us or give up on us or hold resentment against us. On the contrary, because of His love for us, He wanted to save us from death. He therefore, compensated for our sins (that we committed against him), forgave us, and put His life back in us by sacrificing His own. In other words, He the victim, compensated for the crimes, we the convicts, committed against Him by His own life. In fact He even died for those who tortured Him and killed Him. In doing this He showed us that to truly love and forgive, is not only to give up resentment or claim we have against our offenders, but also to compensate for their wrongdoings. We as Christians should do the same by praying for our offenders and sacrificing our own self in the process of helping them to recover from their wrongful way of life.

Since God has forgiven us of all our grave offenses we have committed against Him, we must forgive our fellow human beings of their offenses. This reason is illustrated in the story of the unforgiving servant (Matt. 18:21-34), who owed a very large debt to his master. His master forgave the entire amount, out of compassion and mercy. The servant however, did not show the same mercy to his fellow servant and sued him for a much smaller debt. The master therefore, imposed severe punishment of the unforgiving servant. Since God forgave us of all our sins by sacrificing His own life, how can we ever sue anyone for anything?

 

[yesha]

Personal lawsuits between believers only, or lawsuits involving an insurance company, or more generally a personal lawsuits involving a non believer? Or did you have all these cases in mind?

 

[Rick W]

I have a really hard time with one believer filing suit against another. Both should never have gotten into that situation in the first place and if they did there are other ways to settle the matter within the framework of the faith that both profess. That is if both are indeed true believers.

 

[cj]

I have a really hard time with one believer filing suit against another. Both should never have gotten into that situation in the first place and if they did there are other ways to settle the matter within the framework of the faith that both profess. That is if both are indeed true believers.

This is unfortunately niave thinking. I wish it weren't, but it is.

Husbands should love their wives, and wives should be submitted to their husbands..... but arguments happen, words are said, attitudes taken.

God has chosen to allow our perfecting to take place within the environment of man's society.... we live according to man's laws. And there is a good reason why God left things this way.

Joseh was innocent, but God used the system to gain what He needed to gain in Joseph.

Paul was innocent, but He used the system to appeal to Caesar and God allowed it.

There are certainly divine principles and divine guidelines given, but above all there is the leading of the Spirit. Now the Spirit will always work with these principles and guidelines, but our ability to see the truth of a matter is far less than God's ability.

Meaning this, the situation may look dead wrong, but later on we will hear our mouth utter the words "Oh, now I understand why."


Added later...... So, if inwardly you feel the need to sue, and the situation is aligned with what scripture says,.... then sue. The worse that can happen is that you lose (or win)..... but even in this, you will still gain something.... experience and some suffering. And God will make it all count for your benefit.


In love,
cj

 

[arunangelo]

In the old Covenant people lived by the laws, that were carved on stone. In the New Covenant we have to live by the Spirit of Christ, which is Divine Mercy. In other words, the heart of redemption is Mercy and forgiveness. Therefore, if we go by the letter of the law, but reject mercy and forgiveness, we reject redemption (Matt. 6: 14,15). Jesus showed us that to truly love and forgive, is not only to give up resentment or claim we have against our offenders, but also to compensate for their wrongdoings. Jesus did not sue those who hurt and killed Him. He offered them salvation by dying on the cross. He offered the other cheek. We have only two choices, to live like Jesus did or to reject His life.

 

[cj]

In the old Covenant people lived by the laws, that were carved on stone. In the New Covenant we have to live by the Spirit of Christ, which is Divine Mercy. In other words, the heart of redemption is Mercy and forgiveness. Therefore, if we go by the letter of the law, but reject mercy and forgiveness, we reject redemption (Matt. 6: 14,15). Jesus showed us that to truly love and forgive, is not only to give up resentment or claim we have against our offenders, but also to compensate for their wrongdoings. Jesus did not sue those who hurt and killed Him. He offered them salvation by dying on the cross. He offered the other cheek. We have only two choices, to live like Jesus did or to reject His life.

All this is great...... so don't defend your wife and kids when men break into your house with the intention of harming them.

But....... if the urge to defend them becomes more powerful than the urge to turn the other cheek, know that the blood covers this also.

Be clear, God judged all mankind on the cross. The forgiveness part is not without a need to respond.

And for those who do not respond, there remains only a terrible consequence.

Nobody has gotten away with sin, God has not let sin go unpunished.

And the reality is, neither you nor I can "live like Jesus did" unless we also die.

Jesus saves us by killing us, and then enlivening us.

And know this, Jesus paid taxes.... just like everyone else.

In love,
cj