BIBLICAL TEXT ON COURT DISPUTES

From: joachim omolo ouko
News Dispatch with Father Omolo Beste
FRIDAY, MARCH 28, 2014Top of Form

Suzy writes on my Facebook timeline: “Beste I fully agree with you Chief Justice Willy Mutunga did not mean what he said about going to witch doctors to solve court cases. To me he was only trying to use this joke to emphasize the need of solving some problems amicably instead of going to court.

What he said that people should seek the advice in churches or elders is even Biblical. I cannot remember the text but I remember reading it where Paul says that when one of you has a grievance against another should settle disputes among themselves or seek the advice from elders”

I am glad you understood this Suzy. The Biblical text where St Paul advices Corinthians to settle their disputes outside court is 1 Corinthians 6:1-20. Christians should not contend with one another, for they are brethren. This, if duly attended to, would prevent many law-suits, and end many quarrels and disputes.

In matters of great damage to ourselves or families, we may use lawful means to right ourselves, but Christians should be of a forgiving temper. Refer the matters in dispute, rather than go to law about them.

They are trifles, and may easily be settled, if you first conquer your own spirits. Bear and forbear, and the men of least skill among you may end your quarrels. It is a shame that little quarrels should grow to such a head among Christians, that they cannot be determined by the brethren.

As believers, our testimony to the unbelieving world should be a demonstration of love and forgiveness and, therefore, members of the body of Christ ought to be able to settle arguments and disputes without going to court. We are called to live in unity with humility toward one another.

In Romans 13 Paul taught that God had established legal authorities for the purpose of upholding justice, punishing wrongdoers, and protecting the innocent.

Matthew 5:25 states: “Come to terms quickly with your accuser while you are going with him to court, lest your accuser hand you over to the judge, and the judge to the guard, and you be put in prison”.

Fr Joachim Omolo Ouko, AJ
Tel +254 7350 14559/+254 722 623 578
E-mail obolobeste@gmail.com

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