Are lawsuits unchristian?

[arunangelo]

The scriptures are very clear about forgiveness and mercy. In James 2:13 we are told that mercy is above law. In Matt. 6:14-15 we are told that we would not be forgiven if we do not forgive others. In the Lord

[Guest mercy777]

Hi! You used my verse. :-)

Christians can't ever sue Christians, within the Body/Chruch of Christ, that seems clear. But I believe it is an individual, in a personal matter. I believe a Christian can sue a corporation, or business, or a person in business. Like if you are in a car accident, and injurred.

We have a loved one in prison, over 14 yrs now, wrongfully convicted, and when he is realeased, God help, I believe it is right that he sue, and I believe there are many times when people mess up deliberately or carlessly, that only when people sue them, are they made accountable and motivated to do better.

That is sperate from forgiveness, we can still forgive them.

But within the Body of Believers, it is better to suffer loss, if need be, as a witness to the lost. It needed to be handled within the Church.

God bless you,

mercy

[ted]

I think 1 Corinthians 6:1-7 pretty much sums it up. Among Christians, these matters are to be brought before the "least esteemed" in the church (vs4).

I see no writing against bringing non-Christians before a judge for the purpose of restoring just monies owed to you, if done without malice.

Hope this helps!

t.

[ColleenLovesMischief]

I didn't think that Christians were supposed to get involved in lawsuits.

[RustyAngeL]

Some people are sue happy other have valid points. You have to be able to see the difference.

[ColleenLovesMischief]

Valid points or not................I'm not sure...........what does the Bible say about Christians and lawsuits?

[arunangelo]

Valid points or not................I'm not sure...........what does the Bible say about Christians and lawsuits?

<{POST_SNAPBACK}>

In the old Covenant people lived by the laws, that were carved on stone. In the New Covenant we have to live by the Spirit of Christ, which is Divine Mercy. In other words, the heart of redemption is Mercy and forgiveness. Therefore, if we go by the letter of the law, but reject mercy and forgiveness, we reject redemption (Matt. 6: 14,15). Jesus showed us that to truly love and forgive, is not only to give up resentment or claim we have against our offenders, but also to compensate for their wrongdoings. Jesus did not sue those who hurt and killed Him. He offered them salvation by dying on the cross. He offered the other cheek. We have only two choices, to live like Jesus did or to reject His life.

[Qun Mang]

My 2 cents: As Christians we yield to a higher authority, Jesus. A lawsuit against another Christian is a selfish act, saying we don't want to wait for Christ's timing, as both of you are under His authority and His timing is everything. In a lawsuit against a non-Christian however, the other party is almost certainly acting solely under his own authority, and thus repayment is not nearly as certain as with someone yielding to God's authority. There is a time to forgive and forget of course, like when that person is truly unable to repay you, just as the parable goes, but there are also cases where it is indeed necessary to take them to court. Suppose you're a senior and someone just bilked you out of your life savings and the alternative is foreclosure on your home and bankruptcy, and you have no living relatives to move in with?

Of course we should always pray and do what God asks of us, but sometimes the answer is to work through the system, trust what has been set up on people's behalf.

[Trust & Obey]

This is a good topic and has caused me to examine it more closely. The reason: I have potentially a pending lawsuit with several parties, and I'm currently a party to a class-action lawsuit against the City, County and a developer.

Last year my house suffered $25K in damage due to a developer not providing storm-runoff drainage. The results: My house ended up in the middle of a flash-flood due to this improper planning. We had to gut my house and on the inside and out. Our house was a construction zone for 6 months. We lived on a concrete slab for many months due to this.

One thing I see is Scripture is Paul asserting his right as a Roman citizen:

Act 22:25 And as they bound him with thongs, Paul said unto the centurion that stood by, Is it lawful for you to scourge a man that is a Roman, and uncondemned?

Act 22:26 When the centurion heard that, he went and told the chief captain, saying, Take heed what thou doest: for this man is a Roman.

Act 22:27 Then the chief captain came, and said unto him, Tell me, art thou a Roman? He said, Yea.

Act 22:28 And the chief captain answered, With a great sum obtained I this freedom. And Paul said, But I was free born.

Act 22:29 Then straightway they departed from him which should have examined him: and the chief captain also was afraid, after he knew that he was a Roman, and because he had bound him.

Act 22:30 On the morrow, because he would have known the certainty wherefore he was accused of the Jews, he loosed him from his bands, and commanded the chief priests and all their council to appear, and brought Paul down, and set him before them.

So, I don't think it is a wrong thing to use the protections that the government has put in place for people. So, in interpersonal relationships perhaps turning the cheek is the proper thing, but in other situations it isn't. It's tough to tell. In situations like these we need to lean on prayer and the leading of the Spirit of God.