It was an interesting day today. I've been praying for God to refine me--my thoughts and my judgments and the way I extend or withold grace with those I encounter--and it seems like I've been given plenty to think about today.
I was once again up against the issue of using the force of the law to collect a debt from someone who had been repeatedly untruthful. As a matter of personal opinion, I believe all people should pay their debts, yet I have to admit I've made mistakes and messed-up on this accidentally myself, so I believe a measure of grace is necessary.
Still, Paul tells us this in 1 Corinthians 6:1-11:
1 Dare any of you, having a matter against another, go to law before the unjust, and not before the saints?
2 Do ye not know that the saints shall judge the world? and if the world shall be judged by you, are ye unworthy to judge the smallest matters?
3 Know ye not that we shall judge angels? how much more things that pertain to this life?
4 If then ye have judgments of things pertaining to this life, set them to judge who are least esteemed in the church.
5 I speak to your shame. Is it so, that there is not a wise man among you? no, not one that shall be able to judge between his brethren?
6 But brother goeth to law with brother, and that before the unbelievers.
7 Now therefore there is utterly a fault among you, because ye go to law one with another. Why do ye not rather take wrong? why do ye not rather [suffer yourselves to] be defrauded?
8 Nay, ye do wrong, and defraud, and that [your] brethren.
9 Know ye not that the unrighteous shall not inherit the kingdom of God? Be not deceived: neither fornicators, nor idolaters, nor adulterers, nor effeminate, nor abusers of themselves with mankind,
10 Nor thieves, nor covetous, nor drunkards, nor revilers, nor extortioners, shall inherit the kingdom of God.
11 And such were some of you: but ye are washed, but ye are sanctified, but ye are justified in the name of the Lord Jesus, and by the Spirit of our God.
Clearly, Paul is saying that Christians shouldn't use the force of the law against fellow believers to settle personal disputes or debts. What does that imply about my being involved in doing so on behalf of a corporation that happens to belong to our family? Would it be different if I worked for a corporation in which I had no interest or stake?
I believe the person I was moving to collect from today was given a "generally Christian" upbringing, but I don't really know. Is he a believer? I can't say.
How do I respond? What am I supposed to do with this?
On one hand, I feel what I want to call "righteous anger" against someone who repeatedly lies and refuses to pay a debt. On the other, I want to be an agent of grace to the world, and this is kind of where the rubber hits the pavement.
I'm struggling inside. Am I doing right or trying to convince myself I am?
Add to that a very odd conversation with another person in my life, and some discussion that frankly hurt me a lot and sort of shocked me. I'm trying to decide how to do what I believe is best for the spiritual life of someone I care about, while balancing the need to show grace to that person. After all, if it's grace that best leads people into relationship with God, I know that's where they'll find their problems fall away. Yet, I struggle with fear and hurt, wanting to do what I know is best for the person in the short-term. I want God to "fast track" things. I want to say "Get to work, God! Let's speed it up a little!"
I'm puzzled...hurt...sad...anxious...reflective...happy...tired...optimistic--all at once.
It's been a weird day. Pray for me, and I'll do the same for you, if you'll let me know you were here.
God's peace, everyone!
1 comment:
I hope you are having a better day,I also think everyone should repay there debts,but for some people its easier to forget than to pay what they owe i have had problems with family members & friends who seem to think i was there credit union it comes to a point where you have to say no more! In your situation you have to do what has to be done it seems you have handled it in christian way you have talk to the person and you can only ask them to repay there debt to your family corporation which you have probaly already done when that doesn't work you have to do what you have to do which looks like legal action.I will pray that you will do the right thing & I know you will may God bless in all you do.
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