1 Corinthians 5:12-6:2,7 - 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.” When one of you has a grievance against another, does he dare go to law before the unrighteous instead of the saints? Or do you not know that the saints will judge the world? And if the world is to be judged by you, are you incompetent to try trivial cases?... To have lawsuits at all with one another is already a defeat for you. Why not rather suffer wrong? Why not rather be defrauded?
Romans 13:3-4 - For rulers are not a terror to good conduct, but to bad. Would you have no fear of the one who is in authority? Then do what is good, and you will receive his approval, for he is God's servant for your good. But if you do wrong, be afraid, for he does not bear the sword in vain. For he is the servant of God, an avenger who carries out God's wrath on the wrongdoer.
2 Timothy 2:12-14 - if we endure, we will also reign with him; if we deny him, he also will deny us; if we are faithless, he remains faithful—for he cannot deny himself.
Application:
· Have I been defeated by greed, retaliation and hatred? Or do I practice unselfishness, forgiveness and love?
· When civil rulers overstep their function, do I or will I obey God rather than man?
· Am I fully competent to judge claims between other believers?
· When I judge, am I only judging those inside the church?
· Am I enduring, or am I disowning Him?
All Scripture verses taken from ESV
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