SOAP - Joshua 7, 8; Psalm 69; 1 Corinthians 5

(S)cripture-
1 Cor. 5:12 What business is it of mine to judge those outside the church? Are you not to judge those inside?

(O)bservation-
The ultimate judge of this world - both believers and non-believers - is God. As believers we are not called to pass judgment on those not in the church, but we are called to share the Gospel of Christ with all nations in the hope that they will accept it and believe. As believers, we are called to judge and exercise spiritual discipline over other professing believers in the church. If we see a brother or sister in Christ living in unrepentant sin then we must point that out to help them to realize it. This must be done so that it cannot be construed that we condone this type of behavior and hence dishonor the name of Christ and cause questions to arise concerning the true character of our own testimonies. We all sin and fall short of God's glory - as believers we need to recognize when we sin, repent and ask forgiveness, and know that we are covered by God's grace through the blood of Jesus Christ.

(A)pplication-
I will be careful to not pass judgment on anyone outside of the Faith. This does not mean that I will compromise what I believe, but I will let God take care of the ultimate judgment of the world. Within the church, I know we need to be careful to make sure that we honor Christ in all that we do. If something is going on with any believer that goes against this then it needs to be pointed out and dealt with - we cannot condone unrepentant sin and immorality in the church which would degrade and dishonor the holy name of our Living God.

(P)rayer-
Father God, I know that You are the final and ultimate judge of this world. Help me to never pass judgment on those in the world and to leave that to You. Please guide all of us as a body of believers to keep Your church pure and holy and pleasing to You. In the instances where we need to judge other believers or things happening within the church, help us to do that prayerfully and as we are led according to Your Word and Holy Spirit. Father, I thank You for my brothers and sisters in Christ - what an awesome family I have - and I pray for peace and unity in Your church among all believers. I love and praise You and I pray these things in Jesus' precious name, Amen.