Are Christians Ever Justified Going to Law With Other Christians?

Are Christians Ever Justified Going to Law With Other Christians?

Brother John:
I read that the parents of a young Christian man who was murdered by his wife (also a Christian) are suing her for funds to help raise the children of the deceased. Would their law suit be in violation of I Corinthians. 6:1-3?
-Leonard

Dear Leonard:
A careful reading of I Corinthians 6:1-2 provides the answer to your question. "Dare any of you, having a matter against his neighbor, go to law before the unrighteous, and not before the saints? Or know ye not that the saints shall judge the world? And if the world is to be judged by you, are ye unworthy to judge the smallest matters?" It is the "smallest matters" that the apostle has in mind. In our society many things cannot be legally settled by a church "court" or negotiating. Conflicts over civil and business contracts must be resolved by the courts so the ruling will be binding. If one who is a Christian has wrongfully taken your property, it is not likely that a recommendation from the church will prompt him to return it. However a ruling by a judge will incur penalties if not obeyed. In auto accidents, most insurance companies will not pay damages unless responsibility in the matter is properly determined by a court.

In the case you mentioned the grandparents, who are left to raised the children of their deceased son, are asking the court to see that the person responsible for killing their son will be financially responsible for providing for the children's welfare should she by chance not end up in prison, or if after serving she should be set free. This is not the kind of small or frivolous matter Paul had in mind.

Sincerely,

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