April 1, 2020
1 Corinthians 6:1-7
If any of you has a dispute with another, do you dare to take it before the ungodly for judgment instead of before the Lord’s people?  Or do you not know that the Lord’s people will judge the world? And if you are to judge the world, are you not competent to judge trivial cases?  Do you not know that we will judge angels? How much more the things of this life!  Therefore, if you have disputes about such matters, do you ask for a ruling from those whose way of life is scorned in the church?  I say this to shame you. Is it possible that there is nobody among you wise enough to judge a dispute between believers?  But instead, one brother takes another to court—and this in front of unbelievers!  The very fact that you have lawsuits among you means you have been completely defeated already. Why not rather be wronged? Why not rather be cheated?
New International Version (NIV)
               Sometimes we think, “I know my rights.”  Do we?  How in the world are we to make sure we protect our own rights?  Remember the television show called the People’s Court ended each program with the charge:  “Don’t take the law into your own hands; you take them to court.”  The law offers a remedy to people who have been defrauded and harmed.

               The believers in Corinth knew their rights.  When other members of the church offended them, they took them to court.  Paul said, “In that case, even if you win, you lose.”  Someday Christians will judge the world, he reasoned, surely we can settle our own disputes.  The minute Christians sue other Christians to get our rights, we all lose.  How so?  The unbelieving world is watching.  If the gospel we preach does not empower us to work through our problems, then why would an unbelieving world trust in Christ?

               When we believe the good news about Jesus Christ’s death and resurrection, we call upon the name of the Lord and we are saved.  This salvation not only promises heaven when we die, but it changes the way we live.  Since we have been given grace in Christ, we put his grace into practice.  Jesus did not claim his rights when they arrested him.  He won the battle by allowing them to crucify him.  We follow in his steps.  As we live like Christ, the same Spirit which raised Christ from the dead lives in us and transforms us.  This transformation captures the attention of the world and draws others to Christ as well.

               Paul never saw Jesus as a means to his end.  Jesus, who is Lord of all, is the end itself, not a means.  Live under his Lordship and trust him to provide for all your needs.  
Pray with me:         
Father, thank you that Jesus surrendered his rights when he laid down his life for us on the cross.  Help us to follow in his steps today.  Make us wise in our relationships with others.  Let our faith in Christ be the arbiter in every decision we make.  Be the center of our lives today.  We pray in Jesus’ name.  Amen. 
Join us in memorizing the Word.  Scripture for this week:    
Matthew 5:27-28
“You have heard that it was said, ‘You shall not commit adultery.’ But I tell you that anyone who looks at a woman lustfully has already committed adultery with her in his heart."
Our 2020 Every Day with Jesus readings will follow the Foundations New Testament reading plan.  Copies of the reading plan are available at Tallowood Baptist Church, or download your copy at REPLICATE.ORG 
We would love for you to join us as we read the New Testament through this year, five chapters a week.  In addition I will continue my long-standing practice of reading one Psalm a day through the year.  Use Robby Gallaty’s H. E. A. R. plan to study each chapter (also found at REPLICATE.ORG). Highlight verses which speak to you, explain what they mean in your own words in a journal, apply them to your own life, then respond by doing what God tells you to do.  
Joyfully, 
Duane 
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