Understanding Church Authority and Christian Relationships

As believers, we have a responsibility to understand who we are and what the church represents. The church isn't merely a social gathering place or somewhere to enjoy good music—it's a community with God-given authority and responsibility.

What Is the Church Supposed to Be?

The church should be a group of believers who have surrendered their hearts, minds, and souls to the Lord Jesus Christ. When you become a Christian, your life is no longer your own. God's Word rules your life, not your own understanding or preferences.

Too many Christians view church as just a place to visit without recognizing its authority. The Bible teaches that we have an obligation to hold one another accountable. As believers who have received grace and mercy, we're called to extend those same gifts to others.

Church should be a love fest—a place where we encourage one another, sharpen one another, and extend grace and mercy. Just as Jesus is the physical manifestation of God the Father, the church is supposed to be the physical manifestation of God's grace, mercy, and love.

Why Doesn't the Church Always Function This Way?

There are two main reasons why churches often fail to fulfill this purpose:

Poor teaching - The Word of God isn't clearly being taught to God's people

Individualistic mindset - We come to church focused only on our personal needs rather than functioning as a connected body

The church is called the Body of Christ for a reason—we are connected through faith in Christ. We should care about what each other is going through.

How Should Christians Handle Disputes?

In 1 Corinthians 6, Paul addresses a serious problem in the Corinthian church. When believers had disputes with one another, instead of resolving them within the church, they were suing each other in secular courts.

Paul was appalled by this behavior. He asks, "If any of you has a dispute against another, how dare you take it to court before the unrighteous and not to the saints?" He's saying that the church has an authority given to it by God alone.

This is similar to what many of our mothers taught us as children: "You keep family problems inside the family." Paul is saying that God has given believers everything they need to right wrongs within the community. Why go to outsiders who don't share your values, don't have the Holy Spirit, and don't follow God's Word?

Why Should Christians Resolve Disputes Within the Church?

Paul provides several compelling reasons:

Future authority: "Don't you know that the saints will judge the world?" Paul reminds believers that they will even judge angels in the future. If that's true, how much more should they be able to handle everyday disputes?

Testimony to the world: Going to secular courts damages the testimony of Christ. How can we share the gospel of grace, mercy, and love when we're bickering and fighting with one another?

Spiritual wisdom: Believers have access to God's Word and Spirit, which provide greater wisdom than secular courts.

Gospel priority: Sometimes it's better to take a loss than to damage the gospel's reputation. Paul asks, "Why not rather be wronged? Why not rather be cheated?"

What Does It Mean to Take a Loss for the Gospel?

When we put our desires, will, and wants before the gospel, we demonstrate spiritual immaturity. As we grow in faith, it becomes easier to walk away from losses for the sake of reconciliation.

Paul was disgusted that Corinthian believers were taking advantage of one another. How can you cheat those in your own spiritual household? The church isn't designed for us to individually come together and lay our issues before God—we're called to do life together.

The Difference Between the Church and the World

Paul highlights the stark contrast between believers and unbelievers. When problems arise within the church, we should deal with them through the Holy Spirit and the Word of God. Secular courts follow the letter of the law, but believers should follow the spirit of love and forgiveness.

Paul reminds the Corinthians that "the unrighteous will not inherit God's kingdom." He lists various sinful behaviors and then says, "Some of you used to be like this. But you were washed, you were sanctified, you were justified in the name of the Lord Jesus Christ."

When you accept Jesus as Savior, your spiritual standing changes. You are sanctified (made holy) and justified (made righteous). This transformation should change how you relate to others, especially fellow believers.

The Church as Christ's Bride

God calls the church the bride of Christ. How can you claim to love God but want nothing to do with His bride? God loves the church so much that He's "coming back for His church without spot or wrinkle."

When we gather together as believers, we should love one another, grow in knowledge of one another, and live out our faith together, fulfilling the Great Commission.

Life Application

Take time to examine your heart regarding the church:

How do you feel about the authority God has given to the church?

Are you willing to submit to the authority of the church?

When you're wronged by another believer, are you willing to forgive and love for the sake of the gospel?

Your answers to these questions reveal your spiritual maturity. Commit this week to viewing the church as God intended—not just a place to visit, but a family to which you belong. Consider one relationship within your church that needs reconciliation or strengthening, and take a step toward healing that relationship.

Remember that being a Christian is like being married—it's no longer just about you. Before Christ, we lived to please ourselves. After accepting Christ, we should live to please Him and love His people. This week, make one decision that puts the good of the church body above your personal preferences or rights