What could be more important than you?

1 Corinthians 6:1 When any of you has a legal dispute with another, does he dare go to court before the unrighteous rather than before the saints? 6:2 Or do you not know that the saints will judge the world? And if the world is to be judged by you, are you not competent to settle trivial suits? 6:3 Do you not know that we will judge angels? Why not ordinary matters! 6:4 So if you have ordinary lawsuits, do you appoint as judges those who have no standing in the church? 6:5 I say this to your shame! Is there no one among you wise enough to settle disputes between fellow Christians? 6:6 Instead, does a Christian sue a Christian, and do this before unbelievers? 6:7 The fact that you have lawsuits among yourselves demonstrates that you have already been defeated. Why not rather be wronged? Why not rather be cheated? 6:8 But you yourselves wrong and cheat, and you do this to your brothers and sisters!

The wisdom of the world says something like, "I must be certain to protect my own interests. If I don't, I'll be cheated! And there is nothing worse than me being cheated! I have rights and you can't take from me and expect to not be punished. If you take anything from me I must be paid back."

Now justice and fairness are good things. The apostle here is not arguing that people shouldn't be treated fairly. But he is claiming that there is something more important than fairness: a higher law must be invoked.

When a brother takes a brother to court before unbelievers this higher law is violated. It is such a serious violation that Paul calls it a "shame".

The priority regarding these principles looks something like this: search out justice in daily matters, but under the judgment of the elders of the church. If you get justice, fine. If not, drop it! There are to be no appeals! Do not seek further resolution in the court of the unbelieving world. You are better off being wronged or cheated than to experience the shame of having lost people not only watch your dispute, but render a judgment about it!

So what is this "higher law"? God's glory is more important than you. Whether you are treated fairly and get what you deserve is less important than God's reputation.