The Everlasting Covenant
Going to Law
In this we have an example. If we are Christ’s, then are we Abraham’s seed, and heirs according to the promise. Therefore we shall follow the precepts of Christ. Here is one: “I say unto you, That ye resist not evil; but whosoever shall smite thee on thy right check, turn to him the other also. And if any man will sue thee at the law, and take away thy coat, let him have thy cloak also.” 2 These words are thought by many professed Christians to be fanciful, and altogether impractical, but the reverent reader will see in them sound advice concerning lawsuits. If one would sue you for your coat, it is better to settle it by giving him both your coat and your cloak than to go to law. This is practical wisdom. Lawsuits are like lotteries; a great deal of money is spent on them, and very little gained. Defending one’s rights does not by any means always preserve them, as many a man has proved to his cost. Thus we see that when the Scripture forbids Christians to go to law there is sound business sense in the prohibition. Godliness is profitable for this world as well as for that which is to come. None of the teachings of Christ are out of date, and all are for daily use. EVCO 126.1