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Judging inside Christ’s church

Scripture reading for August 7th: 1st Corinthians 5, Psalm 6, Proverbs 1

1st Corinthians 5: 9-13 “I wrote to you in my letter not to associate with sexually immoral people–not at all meaning the sexually immoral of this world, or the greedy and swindlers, or idolaters, since then you would need to go out of the world. But now I am writing to you not to associate with anyone who bears the name of brother if he is guilty of sexual immorality or greed, or is an idolater, reviler, drunkard, or swindler–not even to eat with such a one. For what have I to do with judging outsiders? Is it not those inside the church whom you are to judge? God judges those outside. “Purge the evil person from among you.””

The Word of God makes it clear that sitting in the place of God and judging others is not right. Only God is righteous and knows how to judge each person as He knows their hearts perfectly and sees all facts. He has given all judgment to His Son, Jesus Christ. However, God has given limited judgment to His people to purge evil from His Church. This judgment is to be exercised based on facts of two or more witnesses. Opportunity to repent and ask for grace is to be given. If there is a refusal to repent, the unrepentant person who claims to be a believer must be put out of the church and association with them cut off. This is to bring them godly sorrow in hopes of repentance and restoration. Sin, like leaven in bread, can infect the whole church if not dealt with. Lord give us grace to hear and obey!

Psalm 6:8-9 “Depart from me, all you workers of evil, for the Lord has heard the sound of my weeping. The Lord has heard my plea; the Lord accepts my prayer.”

Prayer: Father God, it has been with weeping and pleas for repentance that I have obeyed this passage in Your Word. Thankfully, I have seen fruit of repentance in some but others turned away. I am thankful that all final judgment is given to Jesus Christ, the righteous Judge. Help me and Your church leaders to follow Your instructions to purge evil from Your church and see Your grace draw many to the cross.

Proverbs 1:32-33 “For the simple are killed by their turning away, and the complacency of fools destroys them; but whoever listens to me will dwell secure and will be at ease, without dread of disaster.”