On the heels of chapter 5's charge to expel the wicked man, in chapter 6 we have more tough talk directed at those followers of Jesus who sue each other, and those involved in sexual immorality. At first glance these two topics don't seem to have much in common, but maybe a closer look shows us something different.
I honestly don't know how directly we would look to apply Paul's warning against Christians opposing other Christians in court these days. I suppose there are a number of different factors that would need to be considered. Regardless, the point Paul makes isn't tough to understand. Instead of spending the majority of our time demanding our own rights and fighting for our own good, why not rather spend time and effort seeking the good of others? Yielding and meekness need not be a sign of weakness or a lack of backbone. Perhaps they are indicators of a life that is more interested in helping others than helping myself.
With respect to sexual immorality, we see in Matthew 5, in the Sermon on the Mount, that sexual sin is more pervasive in the life of most people than we can observe on the surface. No doubt it's a body issue, but it's also a heart issue, and Jesus and Paul clearly teach that idea. At the end of the day, it helps to ponder and adopt the attitude that Paul communicates in v. 19-20, chiefly 'You are not your own; you were bought at a price. Therefore honor God with your body.'
My life isn't supposed to be about me doing what seems right or feels good to me at the expense of other people. God has created all of us to put each other's interests before our own, and it's tough to argue that there's a better way for the world to work. What would a planet characterized by people who thought of others before themselves actually look like? It's interesting to think about. I thank God that I'll get to see it someday.
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