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Tuesday, September 10, 2002

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1 Corinthians 6:1-11
Psalm 149
Luke 6:12-19

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thinking christian

"Why, the very fact that you have lawsuits against one another is disastrous for you. Why not put up with injustice, and let yourselves be cheated? Instead, you yourselves injure and cheat your very own brothers." —1 Corinthians 6:7-8

When Paul told the Corinthian Christians not to take each other to court, he:

  • agreed that we should resolve our differences as soon as possible. Jesus Himself commanded us to lose no time in being reconciled with other Christians (Mt 5:24-25).
  • disagreed that we should ask non-Christians instead of the Church to help us resolve our differences (1 Cor 6:5). Paul maintained that even a divided, confused church like the Corinthian church could often help its members be reconciled.
  • maintained that it was better to suffer injustice rather than take the chance of harming our brotherhood and sisterhood in Christ (1 Cor 6:6-7).
  • insisted that Christians not jeopardize their evangelistic outreach by "washing their dirty laundry" before unbelievers (see 1 Cor 6:6).

In summary, to have the mind of Christ (see 1 Cor 2:16), we need to think first of the importance of the Church, the immediate need of reconciliation, the priority of Christian brotherhood, and the commission to evangelize. We will willingly suffer injustice if this is best for the Church's unity and mission. Think Christian.

Prayer:  Father, give me "a fresh, spiritual way of thinking" (Eph 4:23).

Promise:  "You have been washed, consecrated, justified in the name of our Lord Jesus Christ and in the Spirit of our God." —1 Cor 6:11

Praise:  Praying together daily helps resolve many of the conflicts in David's household.

Reference:  (Think Christian! Come to the Discipleship Retreat Call To Holiness: Lifestyle in the Spirit, Oct. 3-4. For information or to register, call 937-587-5464 or e-mail retreats@presentationministries.com)

Nihil Obstat:  Reverend Robert L. Hagedorn, February 7, 2002


Imprimatur:  †Most Reverend Carl K. Moeddel, Vicar General and Auxiliary Bishop of the Archdiocese of Cincinnati, February 12, 2002