Devotion: 1 Corinthians 6:3

1 Corinthians 6:3 Do you not know that we will judge angels? How much more the things of this life!

This passage is part of a rebuke from Paul to the Corinthian church who were taking their internal problems and disagreements to the secular, pagan courts instead of handling them on their own. His argument was that because they, as believers, answered to a higher authority and Judge, they should have been resolving minor disputes within their own circles, not in pagan courts.

But what does Christians suing each other in public courts have to do with judging angels? Their lack of wisdom and the internal disarray led to a disruption of unity within their church and Paul wanted to remind them that they were destined to judge the world, including the fallen angels. Because they had such a great destiny, they needed to remember they were more than qualified to handle the small, earthly matters like disagreements between believers.

The comment about judging angels suggests that believers will be participants in God’s final judgement. It indicates that we will be given authority over heavenly beings which is a high status in the kingdom of God.

By pointing this out to the Corinthians, Paul uses their destiny as a means of educating them and possibly making them feel ashamed for their pettiness and worldly response to one another. It was to serve as a call to them to be more mature about their behavior within their church community.

In today’s modern ages we see a lot of the same type of behavior. People are easily offended and the courts are full of petty lawsuits and disagreements, many times by believers and unbelievers alike. And as believers, we need to learn to handle disagreements and troubles through kinder, more Christian avenues. We need to seek mediators to help us from within our churches and try to address things in a Christian manner. We are called to love one another, not to judge or bicker. We are to live in harmony, united as one Body.

Never forget that you have a higher calling in your life. We will be active participants in the final judgement and will have authority to judge heavenly beings and angels. God will give us that authority and it should never be taken lightly. And until that time, we should honor our fellow brothers and sisters, not bicker with them or bring suit against them.

Prayer: Lord, Thank You for granting us such a high honor and authority over the angels. Let me always remember to respond to my church family with love, not pettiness since I have a higher calling. Amen

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