Law-Suits Unbecoming Between Christians

    Between the most upright men there may often be a difference of judgment with respect to matters of property. Hence occasions of dispute and litigation. Instances of this sort had occurred in the church at Corinth; and the brethren, instead of settling their differences by the arbitration of persons selected from their own members, had continued to appeal to the judgment of the courts of law. This was highly blamed by the apostle, as being injurious to the character of Christianity, and an insult to their own body. When a case has gone through every gradation of legal appeal, what have we but the judgment of men; and men who are certainly not more interested in doing justice to the parties, than arbitrators nominated from their brethren? No court can have so good an opportunity of examining and knowing the case. Their connexion with the parties, and their local situation, give judges from among themselves every advantage. Can any court have so tender a concern for the credit and interests of both parties? True, indeed, there may be some important matters in question, which require a legal knowledge, beyond what may be possessed by any of the brethren. But when this is the case, there is nothing to prevent the brethren appointed to judge from taking proper legal advice on the point at issue. They will do this as effectually, and more cheaply, than both parties could do, and each to consult separately for himself. And when legal opinion is taken in this manner, there is no fear of excitement to legal appeal. Such a settlement of differences has every advantage, and is free of many serious disadvantages which lie against law-suits.

    Hence we see the wisdom of Providence in ordaining the very faults of the Corinthian Christians to be for our learning. It was from their misconduct in this matter that occasion was given for the record of this law of Christ. And the law is contained in no other form than as a record of the reproof of the apostle. Consequently, to those not acquainted with the peculiar style of the divine wisdom in conveying the will of God this law lies hid. They read the transaction without perceiving a law binding on Christians in every age. They make no conscience of settling differences among Christians about the things of this world, in the way pointed out by the apostle. This is one of the features of revelation, that is of so peculiar a cast that it proves the Scriptures to be from God. Instead of drawing up an article on the subject, with all the forms and minuteness of an act of Parliament, the Providence of the Lord supplied an example, and the Spirit of the Lord inspired the apostle to give a law indirectly by reproof. Innumerable examples of this nature may be found in the Scriptures.

    Some, however, appear to stretch the law beyond its just extent, and regard it as unwarrantable in any case to appeal to law. They think that a Christian should rather lose his property than go to law about it. The law given by the apostle in this place has no such import. It forbids law-suits only when both parties are brethren in Christ. The opinion that a Christian should in no case appeal to law would, if acted on, soon strip believers of all their property, and endanger their lives. The cross of Christ is heavy enough; there is no occasion to carry a load of lumber along with it. Civil law, though not necessary among Christians, is to the Christian the greatest blessing. Without it he would soon be devoured by the innumerable sharks which lie about the ship which carries Christ and his people. To trust in Providence, without using the means which God has commanded and provided, is not faith but presumption. This is the snare in which the devil thought to take our Lord. Placing him on the pinnacle of the temple, he said, "Cast thyself down, for it is written, He will give his angels charge concerning thee: and in their hands they shall bear thee up, lest at any time thou dash thy foot against a stone." Here he sought to separate the end and the means—to make Jesus look for safety without taking proper caution about his life. But he replied by another passage of Scripture, "Thou shalt not tempt the Lord thy God." If we look for the protection of Providence, we must avail ourselves of all the means of safety which Providence affords us.