1st Century Roman Legal System

The American Legal System Is Based Primarily on Biblical Principles

7 Year Debt Forgiveness (Deuteronomy 15:1-2)

Year of Jubilee (Leviticus 25)

50-60 million civil cases filed annually in U.S. courts

3-5 million family law cases filed annually in U.S. courts

95-98% of all cases are settled before trial

Mediation

20-25% of the American population are evangelical Christians

60% of the American population identifies as Christian

Conflict Resolution Steps
1) go privately to the person
2) get other Christians to help (mediators)
3) involve church leadership if it is a sin issue

FORGIVENESS AND FORBEARANCE

Christian Mediators

What action by me is likely to bring the most glory to God? (I Corinthians 10:23-33)

If I had six months to live, how much of my time would I spend in litigation? (Psalm 90:12)

What are my true motives for getting involved in litigation? Is it a desire for revenge or security? (I Corinthians 13; Matthew 5:38-48; 7:1-5)

Is there a principle or issue at stake which is broader than my personal interests? (Acts 5:17-32)

Will the action I take compromise my witness before other Christians? Will I be a stumbling block? (Romans 14:13; I Timothy 4:12)

Will the action I take compromise my witness before non-Christians? (I Corinthians 6:1-8; 10:32-33)

Will the action I take compromise my witness before the other party, their counsel, or my counsel? (Romans 15:1-3)

Will the action I take compromise the testimony of the church or Christians in general? (I Cor. 6:1-8; 10:32,33)

Will my action have potentially damaging consequences on “innocent” third parties? (Matthew 18:1-6; Mark 9:42; Luke 17:1-5)

Does Scripture expressly forbid the action I plan to take? (e.g. Matthew 5:31,32)

Does Scripture expressly endorse the action I plan to take? (Job 29:16-17, Job 31:21-22)
Example: Seeking Justice for the poor, widow, orphan or the immigrant.

Does the dispute affect my obligations to my family and household? (I Timothy 5:8)

What are my other alternatives? (Matthew 5:23-26; 6:8-15; 18:15-18).

a) Forgiveness/ overlook the offense

b) Is settlement and compromise appropriate?

c) Have I met with the person one-on-one to discuss my views and listen to him/her?

d) Have I sought out counselors or mediators to assist in resolving the conflict?

Am I as eager to forgive and be reconciled as I am to assert my rights? (Matthew 6:12-15)

In Whom have I placed my real trust? (Matthew 6:19-34)

You are the living representation of God's values.

I used to be ________________ now I am ____________________