1 Corinthians 6:5-6
Can it be that there is not one among you wise enough to be able to settle a case between brothers? But rather brother goes to court against brother, and that before unbelievers?
There are few things I love more than watching my sons play together. Today is my older son's 7th birthday and I still remember the day I found out I was having a second boy. I looked at him and told him he was going to have a forever-friend. I have started a custom of putting a quote about brothers or family on a white board along with my son's spelling words for the week. I call it Wise Words & Spelling Words. So far my quotes have been "Sometimes being a brother is even better than being a superhero" and a great one from Dick van Dyke, "I can't work with my brother without laughing."
What happens after childhood that sometimes makes us sever ties with our siblings. I have to imagine that it breaks the hearts of moms and dads when siblings no longer speak. In our first reading for today, Paul shames the Christians at Corinth who are suing one another before pagan judges in Roman courts. He's telling them they are supposed to be sharing Christ with the world - how can they do that if they can't settle things between themselves? How does that look to an outsider?
Just like I would be broken hearted if my sons ever hated each other, God surely is hurt when we, as brothers and sisters in Christ cannot work together for the common good, when we have to tear each other down in order to feel like we are right or justified. Next time you want to take an issue with another Christian to the court of public opinion, whether on social media or in a personal conversation, I challenge you to imagine yourself and that person from whom you differ as two kids playing together. God is smiling, embracing you both with His arms. Don't walk away from that. Stay longer. Remain in that love and common bond of Christ Jesus.
