Can a Christian sue a non-Christian?

This question has been on my mind recently, in large part because of what I study and read about everyday. In civil law, one tends to sees lawsuits as the basic vehicle through which justice, rightful recompense and distribution of losses is achieved. It is easy to see lawsuits as just another mechanism of the law, become desensitized to how society views them.

Just last week, a church in Singapore started legal proceedings against a neighboring institution for damages to its property. We can imagine that lawsuits can taint the image of Christianity. A church suing another organization stands in jarring contrast with a faith that the world often associates with espousing ideals of "love" or "righteousness" or "forgiveness".

So can a Christian sue another person?

I am glad that Pastor John Piper provided a timely exposition of his views on this question. You can read it at: Is it ever OK for a Christian to sue a non-Christian?

Where the issue is explicitly a matter of justice that goes beyond mere personal vindication, retribution or recovery of monetary losses, it may be possible to justify a lawsuit against a non-Christian. However, I would opinion that, in most if not all situations, a Christian's testimony shines far brighter and stronger when he meekly chooses to forgive or overlook injury done to him than when he seeks punitive justice. That is what Christ did when he submitted himself to death on the Cross. We can endure injustice on this earth because of our confidence that ultimate justice belongs to our sovereign God.

Beloved, never avenge yourselves, but leave it to the wrath of God, for it is written, “Vengeance is mine, I will repay, says the Lord.” To the contrary, “if your enemy is hungry, feed him; if he is thirsty, give him something to drink; for by so doing you will heap burning coals on his head.” Do not be overcome by evil, but overcome evil with good.

Romans 12:21 (ESV)