The Fifth Sunday in Lent (NTA)

1 Corinthians 6:1-11

When one of you has a grievance against another, does he dare go to law before the unrighteous instead of the saints? ² Or do you not know that the saints will judge the world? And if the world is to be judged by you, are you incompetent to try trivial cases? ³ Do you not know that we are to judge angels? How much more, then, matters pertaining to this life! ⁴ So if you have such cases, why do you lay them before those who have no standing in the church? ⁵ I say this to your shame. Can it be that there is no one among you wise enough to settle a dispute between the brothers, ⁶ but brother goes to law against brother, and that before unbelievers? ⁷ To have lawsuits at all with one another is already a defeat for you. Why not rather suffer wrong? Why not rather be defrauded? ⁸ But you yourselves wrong and defraud—even your own brothers!

⁹ Or do you not know that the unrighteous will not inherit the kingdom of God? Do not be deceived: neither the sexually immoral, nor idolaters, nor adulterers, nor men who practice homosexuality, ¹⁰ nor thieves, nor the greedy, nor drunkards, nor revilers, nor swindlers will inherit the kingdom of God. ¹¹ And such were some of you. But you were washed, you were sanctified, you were justified in the name of the Lord Jesus Christ and by the Spirit of our God.

The Apostles are told they will have kingdoms of their own. They are told they will sit on thrones and judge the people of Israel. St Paul will even tell us we will judge demons or angels. We will be the judge of all creation. He uses this as a mere description of what will come, so that you know that you should be able to handle judging trivial cases.

The people have disputes among us. Have you ever wondered why Lawyers are given such a bad wrap? People do not like Lawyers because we give them too much control and power in our lives. We would rather have issues settled in court than in the public square. There is no such thing as compromise and the best choice for all, any more. There is only the Judge, who will determine what is right, or correct. (Then there is always the court of appeals.)

Let us rather make our appeals to God. Appeal your case to the church, where people who know forgiveness and love and charity, would be able to help one another grow in truth and faith. I do not say this to praise those who do not bring suits against one another. I say this to the shame of those who claim to be right and never compromise.

God has compromised with you. He allows you to continue to live your sinful life, in the hope that his word and Holy Spirit will break your hardened heart and turn you to love your neighbor more than yourself. He has forgiven you. He has redeemed you. He has given you life and breath, so that you might love one another. Blessed be the example we have in Christ crucified.