How Can You Be A Christian And An Attorney?

How can you be a Christian and also be an attorney?  Over the course of my almost 30-year legal career, I cannot count the number of times I have been asked that question.  You can also ask yourself the very similar question of how a CPA, house painter, industrial worker or you can do your job and also be a Christian?  Equally challenging is the question of how a true Christians sue fellow Christians?  As I seek to answer these tough questions, please know that I direct this article to believers, and I am basing it on my own personal beliefs and convictions.

I have jokingly told my friends that I do not like the King James Version of the Bible, where Jesus says:  “Woe to you lawyers.”  Surely, Jesus was talking about “Experts in the Mosaic Law,” but sometimes I wonder.  I have faced internal turmoil many times over my professional obligations.  In the early 90’s, when I first came home to Cartersville, judges assigned all young attorneys “Court Appointed” criminal defendants.  Some defendants were just kids that needed to learn a lesson.  Other defendants were hardened individuals accused of theft, rape or murder.  I have no problem protecting our great legal system because you or I can face false accusations of crimes that we did not commit.  After a person’s arrest, he or she needs a legal system that provides them with a fair opportunity to defend themselves.  I have had many opportunities to pray with and encourage those accused to do better.  Everyone, including the accused, wants others to treat them with love and respect.  My clients who were guilty would often make a guilty plea, serve their time and learn a lesson.  To my knowledge, I do not truly believe that anyone I represented lied on the stand (although at times I told my clients to exercise their right to remain silent).

“You call yourself a Christian?”  That statement has angered me.  I wanted to respond:  “Yes, I call myself a Christian, but that does not mean that I am a doormat.”  Law school did train me, within proper bounds, to be tough in the courtroom.  I know that I should always respond in a Christlike manner, but at times I find this very challenging.  One attorney I know responds well:  “I am always a Christian first and above all else and that fact takes care of all the rest.”  When others ask another friend of mine:  “How can you hang out with and represent criminals?”  He responds with another question:  “Isn’t that what Jesus does for us?”  Almost everyone that comes into my office brings in great problems and hurts.  As attorneys, we have the blessed opportunity and ministry to encourage, pray and help our clients get through tough times.  I personally know a great many attorneys that live out their lives and run their practices according to Christ’s teachings and for His glory.

How can a Christian sue a fellow Christians OR an ungodly person?  I heard Michael Youssef’s on the radio teach on 1 Corinthians 6: 1-11.  The Apostle Paul is pretty clear when he states we are better to be “wronged” and “cheated” than to drag a fellow Christian into court and thereby lead non-believers astray.  Christians are to be different and show the world a better way.  Jesus was very strong about how Christians should treat non-believers in Luke 6:27-41.  Jesus commands us to: “love our neighbor as ourselves;” “love your enemies and do good to them;” “be merciful as your Father is merciful; and “do not judge.  God’s Word sets a high bar, doesn’t it?  We must love our fellow man, treat all men with love and be willing to give up a lot for the sake of the cross.  I will continue to file lawsuits, struggle with God’s commands and do my best not to act contrary to them.   Our over-riding goal must be to treat each other with love and respect.  We should do our best to make understanding and grace our mission and to make lawsuits our last resort.  Let us all pray for each other and, in LOVE, keep each other accountable.   What society needs are more Christian attorneys, and more Christians in EVERY occupation, who truly live for Christ and change our World.