BussellMetcalfe900
Church Discipline: Difficult, Painful and Necessary
Within the more than 3 decades which i happen to be involved with ministry, I have took part in numerous situations dealing with church discipline. Recently another has arisen. Though In my opinion this current case can lead to restoration, it doesn't take away the difficulty, pain or necessity of discipline.
Church discipline is tough for several reasons. One is it constitutes a person involved keenly conscious of their own sin, yet calls for discernment and judgment concerning the sin of another person.
It's also difficult because many Christians (sometimes well-meaning) inquire such as: Don't we believe in mercy and forgiveness? Doesn't the Bible inform us not to judge? Are you so perfect that you could pronounce judgment on someone else? [There are answers to these questions but that's for another time]. In spite of these questions, it's clear that the New Testament church both supported and practiced church discipline [see, for example, Matthew 18:15-20; Galatians 6:1; I Corinthians 5:1-5].
Church discipline is painful because it breaks our hearts to determine a brother or sister who has walked and worked with us for that kingdom of God throw it all aside to pursue some ungodly desire and choose to live openly in unrepentant sin.
It's also painful since the consequences of sin often spread everywhere affecting many more people compared to individual who has sinned. Relationships, ministries, reputations, and several other activities could be destroyed within the wake of sin. Our hearts ache to see this suffering and destruction.
Yet, regardless of these things, many would still state that church discipline shouldn't be practiced. Allow me to suggest three reasons why I believe the church is called to practice discipline:
• The Glory of God: An individual who lives in openly unrepentant sin yet maintains that he/she is a Christian brings dishonor rather than glory to God. The vindication of the honor and glory of Christ is at stake.
• The Reclaiming of the individual: Church discipline isn't primarily centered on retribution but on restoration. It is the hope that the one who has sinned will recognize that sin, repent, and return to the Lord. I have personally seen this take place in several cases.
• The Purity of the Church: Though you can now see that the church, being an organization full of sinners, has numerous problems. However, it's still the bride to be of Christ called to purity and the edification of their members. The openly unrepentant person calls that quest for purity into question and may be a obstacle towards the edification of fellow members of the church.
