NalleyTroupe287
Church Discipline: Difficult, Painful and Necessary
In the more than 3 decades that I have been involved in ministry, I have participated in a number of situations dealing with church discipline. Recently another has arisen. Though I believe this current case can lead to restoration, it doesn't take away the difficulty, pain or necessity of discipline.
Church discipline is difficult for several reasons. The first is that it constitutes a person involved keenly conscious of his own sin, yet requires discernment and judgment regarding the sin of some other person.
It is 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 to not judge? Are you so perfect that you could pronounce judgment on someone else? [There are answers to these questions but that is for an additional time]. In spite of these questions, it is clear 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 that has walked and worked with us for the kingdom of God throw everything aside to pursue some ungodly desire and choose to live openly in unrepentant sin.
It's also painful because the consequences of sin often spread far and wide affecting a lot more people than the person who has sinned. Relationships, ministries, reputations, and many other activities could be destroyed in the wake of sin. Our hearts ache to see this suffering and destruction.
Yet, in spite of this stuff, many would still say that church discipline shouldn't be practiced. Allow me to suggest three reasons why In my opinion the church is called to rehearse discipline:
• The Glory of God: A person who lives in openly unrepentant sin yet maintains that he/she is really a Christian brings dishonor instead of glory to God. The vindication from the honor and glory of Christ is at stake.
• The Reclaiming of the Person: Church discipline isn't primarily centered on retribution but on restoration. It's the hope the one that has sinned will notice that sin, repent, and go back to the Lord. I've personally seen this take place in several cases.
• The Purity from the Church: Though anyone can see that the church, being an organization full of sinners, has many problems. However, it is still the bride to be of Christ called to purity and the edification of its members. The openly unrepentant person calls that pursuit of purity into question and may be considered a obstacle to the edification of fellow members of the church.
