Part 8: When Conflict Arises in God's Church

In this exploration of 1 Corinthians 6:1-11, we're confronted with a challenging question: how do we handle conflict as believers? The Corinthian church was taking their disputes before unbelievers in pagan courts, undermining their witness and forgetting who they truly were in Christ. This passage reminds us that our identity has been radically transformed through the gospel. We've been washed clean of every sin—past, present, and future. We've been sanctified, set apart as holy ones belonging to God. We've been justified, declared righteous before the King of kings. These aren't aspirations or achievements we're working toward; they're already true the moment we believe. The stunning reality is that we're as righteous as Jesus himself, not because of anything we've done, but because of what Christ has done for us. When conflict arises in our lives—whether in our families, workplaces, or church—the question becomes: are we trying to handle it without Jesus? Are we functioning in our own wisdom, or are we living in light of the gospel that has already transformed us? The call here is to remember who we are and let that identity shape how we respond to disagreements, choosing reconciliation over being right, and honoring Christ over winning our case.