T. B. Baines · Chapter 4. A Christian not of the world.

And this, though strongly put, is no figure of speech. Paul exclaims, as though the idea was shocking to entertain — "Dare any of you, having a matter against another, go to law before the unjust, and not before the saints?" It is incredible that "brother goes to law with brother and that before the unbelievers. Now, therefore, there is utterly a fault among you, because ye go to law one with another. Why do ye not rather take wrong? Why do ye not rather suffer yourselves to be defrauded?" (1 Cor. 6:1-7). Imagine such language addressed to a Jew! It is absolutely subversive of the whole principle on which the institutions of his state were founded — absolutely ruinous to any scheme of righteous government on earth. Why, then, is it urged, as an almost self-evident principle, on the believer? Because the believer is not of the world. He belongs to Christ. True, he will judge the world, and judge angels, but this will be with Christ; and if Christ waits for this time, so must he. He is not even to assert his rights now, but is called to suffer wrong as Christ did; not to render "evil for evil, or railing for railing, but, contrariwise, blessing" — not to avenge himself, "but rather give place unto wrath" (1 Peter 3:9; Rom. 12:19). Is it not a sad departure from the lofty position and heavenly association into which the believer is called, for him to step down to regulate the affairs of a world where Christ has no place, and where Satan reigns as prince and god? "Our politics;" says the apostle — for that is the true meaning of the word — "are in heaven, from whence also we look for the Saviour, the Lord Jesus Christ" (Phil. 3:20).