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? 1 Corinthians 6:7
Paul is disappointed in the Corinthian church because they have allowed disputes within their church to spill over into the courts. In his desire to restore unity, Paul doesn’t attempt to resolve their disputes or act as a mediator for them, instead he rebukes them. He tells them that they are already defeated.
Within the church, whether we win or lose disputes is of little consequence. Our disagreements don’t have to rise to the level of litigation before they negatively effect people’s perceptions of us, the church or even God. Christ told us that people would know that we were His disciples according to the love that we had for one another (John 13:34-35). Therefore, the relationships that we have with our brothers and sisters in Christ must be characterized by a love so full of grace that it draws people to God. Otherwise we have already failed. (Also see Phil. 2:1-4)
Father, create a spirit of unity within our church that is so powerful that the community around us is drawn to you because of our love.
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