Ubi jus ibi remedium. Not a familiar latin phrase unless you are a law student taking “Remedies” class. It means for every wrong done there is a remedy in law. Sure, wrongs should have a remedy, but should Christians take other Christians to court? I will tell you, I struggle with this, big time. You would think two wonderful, spirit filled people with a disagreement, contract dispute, marriage dissolving, etc. could resolve their differences with the help of a pastor or elder, right? Probably not as often as you’d like. The apostle Paul lamented this reality. We should too.
Does any one of you, when he has a case against his neighbor, dare to go to law before the unrighteous and not before the saints? Or do you not know that the saints will judge the world? If the world is judged by you, are you not competent to constitute the smallest law courts? Do you not know that we will judge angels? How much more matters of this life? So if you have law courts dealing with matters of this life, do you appoint them as judges who are of no account in the church? I say this to your shame. Is it so, that there is not among you one wise man who will be able to decide between his brethren, but brother goes to law with brother, and that before unbelievers? Actually, then, it is already a defeat for you, that you have lawsuits with one another. Why not rather be wronged? Why not rather be defrauded? On the contrary, you yourselves wrong and defraud. You do this even to your brethren. 1 Corinthians 6:1-8 NASB
How has God used me as a pastor and attorney to help people resolve their legal problems? How many stem from spiritual problems?
God, as this day begins- I am remembering Jesus’ words ‘blessed are the peacemakers’. Oh, help me where possible be that! Please afford me wisdom beyond myself. I need You and Your ways. Thank you for the calling to help people as both pastor and attorney.
