Business Law

Peacemaking

Be a peacemaker.

“Blessed are the peacemakers, for they shall be called sons of God.”

—Matthew 5:9

“If possible, so far as it depends on you, be at peace with all men.”

—Romans 12:18

“Seek peace and pursue it.”

—Psalm 34:14

 

 

Walk in forgiveness.

“Lord, how often should I forgive someone who sins against me? Seven times?”

“No, not seven times,” Jesus replied, “but seventy times seven!”

—Matthew 18:21-22

•     Unforgiveness is self-torture. (Matt. 18:23-34)

•     An act of forgiveness is a seed of greatness.

Don’t sue fellow Christians.

“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? Or do you not know that the saints will judge the world? Do you not know that we will judge angels? How much more matters of this life? If the world is judged by you, are you not competent to constitute the smallest law courts? ”

—1 Corinthians 6:4

•      Non-Christian judges haven’t submitted to Christian discipleship/accountability.

•      Christians should be able to judge far greater matters than disputes in business.

How to Confront: Four Steps

“If your brother sins, go and show him his fault in private; if he listens to you, you have won your brother. But if he does not listen to you, take one or two more with you, so that by the mouth of two or three witnesses every fact may be confirmed. If he refuses to listen to them, tell it to the church; and if he refuses to listen even to the church, let him be to you as a Gentile and a tax collector.”

—Matthew 18:15-17

If you are sued by another Christian…

•     Wise Christians are available to arbitrate disputes.

•     Request a Christian mediator and/or Christian arbitrator agreed upon by the parties.

•     You may defend yourself in a secular court in this situation.

 

Christians Suing Non-Christians

•     There is no explicit prohibition against a Christian suing a non-Christian in a secular court.

•     Secular courts are ordained by God (Romans 13:1-7).

•     Even Apostle Paul cited Roman law and utilized secular courts protect his legal rights. (Acts 16:37-38, 22:25-29, and 25:10-12)

 

Maintain pure motives.

“If anyone wants to sue you and take your shirt, let him have your coat also.”

—Matthew 5:40

“If the matter be small, which we may lose without an considerable damage to our families, it is good to submit to it [legal nonresistance] for peace’ sake.”

—Matthew Henry

•     Walk in forgiveness

•     Your motive for taking legal action is critical.