Have you ever had an argument with your neighbor?
It isn’t any fun; is it?
Most of us have stories of how two neighbors got into an argument and later wound-up being enemies for the rest of their lives. Many times, such neighbors wind up carrying their unforgiveness and revenge so far that they never speak to one another again.
Anyone would agree that this is a terribly sad place to be and a very uncomfortable way to live.
I think God knew that as He was speaking to Israel about living in the new place.
TRY TO LIVE IN PEACE AND HARMONY
God definitely doesn’t want our anger to rise up to this level. We are all meant to live in peace and harmony. There are guidelines all through the scriptures on how to achieve this happier state of being; no matter what side of history or whatever times you find yourself living within.
Deuteronomy, Chapter 25 tells us what the Israelites were instructed by God to do just before they came to live in the happy places of their new inheritance. God was looking out for them ahead of time and much of what He instructs Moses to pass on here is simply a detailed review of what He has already commanded for them to do all along.
WELCOME TO OUR THURSDAY BIBLE STUDY
Welcome to The Come As A Child Bible Study. We are still taking our “every Thursday” walk through the scriptures. Today we have landed in Deuteronomy; Chapter 25. This chapter has many parts, but the section we will discuss today has to do with how to be a good neighbor.
BEING NEIGHBORLY
Being a good neighbor actually goes all the way back to the days of Cain and Able. The facts are, that these two brothers-at-odds proved to us that we ALL are to be our brother’s keepers.
God is simply telling the Israelites how to best accomplish this feat in the times and culture in which they will be living.
Our times and culture, and the society in which we exist, really DO have a lot of influence toward and over how we all need to be good neighbors; both in the modern world of today and in the ages of the past.
WEIGHING OUT THE NEW AND THE OLD
The New Testament has some very significant and important things to say about getting along with our neighbors; but today let’s take an Old Testament glimpse back and see what was proper to do in the days and times of Israel first becoming a nation, and then afterward we will also compare that time with our take on how Christians should act today.
Are there any differences because of history and cultures; or does this advice on how to live and get along with others still hold true exactly as written and given to the People of Israel by Moses so many years ago?
Let’s look at the details and you can decide for yourself:
Deuteronomy 25:1: When people have a dispute, they are to take it to court and the judges will decide the case, acquitting the innocent and condemning the guilty.
I already see a slight difference here between the Old Testament ways and the New Testament ways.
Here in the Old Testament scriptures of Deuteronomy, it seems they are commanded to take things directly to court. It IS possible that the people might have tried to reason among themselves first; but that isn’t mentioned.
THE NEW WAY; THE WAY OF JESUS
Yet; when Jesus spoke of such things in the New Testament; he added two preceding steps that are not emphasized in the passages of Deuteronomy and those more ancient times:
Matthew 18:15 says; “If your brother sins against you, go and confront him privately. If he listens to you, you have won your brother over.
That is a NEW way of doing things, a better way than before the days when we were not allowed to live in the grace of knowing that Christ died for our sins. Now; we must first try to talk things out.
TRY TO RESOLVE THINGS FIRST
It is a rare time when two adults who are earnestly desiring to work through a problem together, can’t sit down, talk for a while, and come to a workable solution for the problem. When this happens; the world is always a better place.
The problem seems to be in getting two people who are mad with one another to even be in the same room together. Anger can make people just that unreasonable. Still; this is the best and most peaceful way to resolve any conflict.
There was also a second step that Jesus added later down the line of history; it is found in Matthew 18:16 and reads like this; “But, if he will not listen, take one or two others along, so that every matter may be established by the testimony of two or three witnesses.”
RECEIVING HELP FROM OTHERS
Sometimes getting others involved can be very helpful.
If your neighbor doesn’t want to listen to you; perhaps he might be willing to listen to another unbiased and well-meaning neighbor. The other neighbor might also lend a different perspective to the argument. He might see and say some things that neither you, nor your neighbor, have seen or noticed before.
It is hard to see or think clearly when you are angry. Having a third-party lends an unbiased perspective to the argument and often provides a hidden answer to make all parties agreeable.
That is the hope here; but this is also a good way to establish that you have tried to talk things through.
IT IS GOOD TO ESTABLISH RELIABLE WITNESSES
By allowing the involvement from others (who are not prejudiced toward either neighbor), you now have witnesses to the fact that you have sought to resolve the matter causing stress between the two of you.
Now you have established publicly that you are diligently and sincerely trying to resolve the situation and make peace with your neighbor.
Should you need to take further actions by going to court; this proves that you are not just taking your neighbor to court to be mean, or hateful, or to remain unreasonable; but to resolve the problems that exist between you.
SOMETIMES THE COURTS ARE THE ONLY ANSWER
Wise neighbors would reach a logical conclusion and a truce at this point; but sometimes people can be stubborn and hard-headed. When that is the case; both the New and the Old Testament scriptures give all of the same advice.
At this point, they both advise that you seek answers from the locally appointed courts.
WHEN THE GUILTY ARE PUNISHED
In Deuteronomy we read of how the guilty will be punished by lashes; but no more than 40 lashes. Lashes were a common punishment in that time and culture.
I wonder why this number of 40 lashes is significant?
First it will also be noted that the judges who issued the punishment must be present for the lashes. The punishment was to happen immediately and in their presence. The judges giving the sentences must also endure watching what they commanded to be a fair punishment.
The law of Moses wisely proclaimed that no judge could issue more than 40 lashes. This was to keep unfair amounts of cruelty out of the courts. If there were no limits, an angry judge might over-react and cause a man’s death. That would not be right for a crime that was not judged to be offensive enough to cause a man to die.
WHAT ABOUT TODAY?
So; how does all of this work out for us today?
Our nation is currently riddled with hate, with neighbor plotting against neighbor, some of them even harboring hate against their neighbors for things their ancestors did. This is a new development for many parts of the country; because only a few years ago it seemed that America had overcome much of the racial tension and stress that had existed in the past. Some felt we were going through a time of great healing, and some hoped that we were now headed toward a new and better era.
Unfortunately, certain groups of elite citizens seemed to want to force undesired ideologies on the land, instead of letting the courts make the decisions, they have chosen to make many feel victimized beyond reason, to the point of provoking unnecessary hate for political causes.
But what did Jesus advise?
UNLIMITED FORGIVENESS
Didn’t Jesus tell us that the number of times we should forgive our brother for a sin against us was unlimited?
Thank goodness that Jesus was NEVER like current day politicians. He never turned away those who repented and asked forgiveness; no matter how big their sins; and He never EVER sought revenge.
Wouldn’t this same forgiving attitude that Jesus brought to us apply to the sins of our ancestors too?
We must try to resolve and forgive our differences. If that doesn’t work; we should then go to the courts; but there may be times when we should not even desire to do that.
SHOULD CHRISTIANS SUE ONE ANOTHER?
Is it right or wrong for a Christian to sue a fellow Christian in court?
Could any Christian ever go to court saying that judgement should come to anyone simply because of the color of their skin?
Did God not create all people the same?
We sing that old, old song that we all learned in kindergarten; “Red and Yellow, Black or White; all are precious in His sight. Jesus loves the little children of the world.” The song speaks truth.
Out of the mouths of babes.
CHRISTIANS SUEING CHRISTAINS????
First let’s establish that the scriptures clarify it IS okay for a Christian to sue a non-Christian in secular courts.
We can read those scriptures that verify such actions in Romans 13:1-7.
Let every soul be subject unto the higher powers. For there is no power but of God: the powers that be are ordained of God. Whosoever therefore resists the power, resists the ordinance of God; and they that resist shall receive to themselves damnation. For the rulers are not a terror to good works, but to the evil. Wilt thou then not be afraid of the power? Do that which is good, and thou shalt have praise of the same: For he is the minister of God to thee for good, but if thou do that which is evil, be afraid, for he bears not the sword in vain: for he is the minister of God, a revenger to (execute) wrath upon him that doeth evil. Wherefore (ye) must needs be subject, not only for wrath, but also for conscience’s sake. For this cause pay ye tribute also; for they are God’s ministers, attending continually upon this very thing. Render therefore to all their dues: tribute to whom tribute is due; custom to whom custom; fear to whom fear; honor to whom honor.
To make this plain and simple; the scriptures are saying that we are to show honor and respect to the law of the land and to those who are elected into power by the people of the land. Laws are made, and people are put in charge of them being carried out, for our own good. We must respect this and act accordingly; even when we feel they are wrong and unfair or even evil and sinful rulers.
GOD IS STILL IN CONTROL
God has allowed certain things and certain people to be in charge; and God can and will change that if it is necessary.
Therefore; Christians are to take their complaints and petitions before God first; before they do anything rebellious against the powers set in place by society.
This is sometimes a hard pill to swallow; but if we go to God first; then eventually God will resolve our problems in His perfect timing. He sees so much further than we do; He knows what is best for each of the times we are destined to live through.
God is for us; not against us; and we must always have faith and put our trust in that fact.
CONCERNING SPIRITUAL LAWS
The Christian has a higher law to answer to than the average secular citizen.
Physical, worldly, legal issues are sometimes combined with spiritual issues that only Christians would relate to.
A good example of such an issue would be the subject of sexual immorality. The courts of America could care less about how moral or immoral a person is when it comes to sexual acts and/or preferences. For a Christian though; what one person does that is immoral affects the whole body or congregation of believers.
When a Christian acts in an immoral way; (in the same way that a pagan would act in the secular world,) then the witness of God’s love and best ways to live is destroyed among the whole community; both Christian and non-Christian.
SEEKING GOD’S WILL
Given these facts; it depends on the matter being judged as to whether or not the Christian should seek out the judgement of a secular court. If actions toward another Christian could be avoided in court without harming anyone else; then it might need to be that way; depending on the answer to careful and considerable prayer.
In criminal matters; the law of the land is always going to rule. A Christian is basically forced to follow the laws of the society they live in when it comes to prosecuting someone for criminal actions. For the most part the secular courts have followed the same logic as the Christian culture anyway; but that could be quickly changing in our bazaar new culture waves.
In other matters (other than criminal cases) it is wise to submit to much prayer and council from other devout Christians as to the best way to proceed. In most cases; it is far better to lose financially than to lose spiritually. It is also better to suffer wrong than to do wrong. Church councils can be very helpful to both parties; the person seeking justice as well as the secular courts. Often these entities can work together and achieve a higher form of justice.
PRAYER AND WISE COUNCIL
It is very important for a Christian to weigh these things out before God in prayer and seeking wise council from the Church before proceeding into a secular court.
Many Christians resist following through with an injustice because of the scriptures found in Matthew 5:39. I think this could be misinterpreted in many situations.
Jesus tells us to “turn the other cheek.” Turning the other cheek means to endure insult without retaliation. This is not a physical act; it is an act of the will to not take revenge against someone who has insulted you. However; physical violence should always expect self-defense. God does not expect us to be helpless when we are able to defend ourselves and keep ourselves from major harm.
Mature, Christian discernment is very important to develop. As you pray daily remember to ask God for discernment that is accurate and fair.
In the end; whether a Christian sues another Christian actually comes down to having good spiritual discernment and seeking out God’s will. Every case is different and unique; only God can answer you correctly and accurately.
ONLY GOD KNOWS YOUR ANSWER
Seek God’s face in all that you do.
There is a life-verse that always comes to mind when I ponder such questions.
(James 1:27) Pure and undefiled religion before our God and Father is this: to care for orphans and widows in their distress, and to keep oneself from being polluted by the world.
Seek God’s discernment for whether or not you should sue anyone. Consider all of the outcomes and ponder the true justice of a situation. Always pray for correct discernment and follow God.
If God is for you; who can be against you?
DO NOT BE LUKE WARM – TAKE A STAND
Once you decide how to take a stand; stand. There are two things that I have learned over the years that God despises; a person who can be swayed back and forth; and a luke-warm person who has nothing in mind but his own self-interest.
Tune out the voices of the world. Seek God’s discernment; make your move accordingly and stand firm in the path that God has shown you. Remember that you ARE your brother’s keeper.