Putting Your Christian Business in the Street

1 Corinthians 6:1-11 speaks powerfully about the consequences of unresolved disputes among believers. Paul admonishes Christians not to take their disagreements to secular courts, but rather to handle matters within the family of believers. This passage exposes the deep dysfunction that arises when Christians fail to embody the humility, wisdom, and reconciliation that Christ calls us to.

In today’s world, unfortunately, it seems like we’ve allowed the world to watch as we act out our conflicts on a public stage. Instead of seeking resolution within the body of Christ, these issues often spill out into the media—becoming tabloid fodder for the world to consume. How often do we see Christian leaders and fellow believers tearing each other down publicly, airing their grievances like reality TV stars, giving the world a front-row seat to our failure to live out the unity Christ died to create?

This is a real problem as we move further into 2025. We see the breakdown of trust, the erosion of Christian witness, and the pain of division as believers turn to the courts or the public eye for validation, instead of seeking reconciliation through prayer, humility, and grace. It's heartbreaking to witness these events unfold—because it's not just about the people involved; it's about the gospel and the testimony of the church. If the world looks at us and sees division, bitterness, and public drama, how can they believe in a Savior who unites and reconciles?

What is the solution? We must return to what Paul taught us. Christians are called to be a people of peace, marked by the love of Christ, not by conflict. We are called to judge one another rightly, to handle disputes with grace and wisdom, to bear one another’s burdens in a way that reflects the heart of God. When we fail to do so, it’s a bad witness to the world, and the damage is real.

The challenge for us as we enter 2025 is simple: Are we going to be a people who handle our conflicts in a way that reflects Christ’s love and justice? Or will we continue to give the world a front-row seat to our failures and division? We need to be a people who look beyond our own pride and selfish ambition and remember that the gospel isn’t about our reputation—it’s about the Savior’s.

Let us not forget that we are called to live differently. We are the hands and feet of Christ, and that means we don’t follow the world’s way of handling disagreements. We pursue peace, reconciliation, and unity. As we walk into this new year, may we be a people who take seriously the call to live out the gospel in every area of our lives—including how we deal with conflict.

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