04/03/18 A QUICK THOUGHT ABOUT CHURCH DISCIPLINE
(I have written and taught extensively on this vital subject, but this is just a reminder)
One of the many neglected (sometimes rejected) teachings of the New Testament is CHURCH DISCIPLINE. Even If I had not put it in all caps, the words cause most people to shrink back in fear of cultism or extremism.
I understand the negative response to the thought of "discipline" of any kind, since so much evil has been done in the name of that which is good, in the name of God Himself.
However, we cannot reject or neglect the revelation of God based on our feelings, our prejudices, our observations or even our own experiences concerning BIBLICAL DISCIPLINE. To negate the Biblical view of any discipline, including church discipline is to dump God and trash His revelation.
Though there are several foundation stones to church discipline, I will just mention a couple. NO, I am not going to elaborate, just mention.
CHURCH DISCIPLINE IS INTENDED TO BE REDEMPTIVE, NOT RETRIBUTIVE
God wants people who have turned back to sin to repent and be renewed and restored in a right relationship with Himself and with the body. This is the primary purpose of church discipline. When people submit to Biblical authority and correction then individuals, families and churches are revitalized and progress in grace can continue.
However, when people will not yield to Biblical church discipline, then there is continued decay and deterioration of individuals, families, congregations. This spreads to the weakening of the local church ministry and the loss of the unsaved.
CHURCH DISCIPLINE INCLUDES ATTITUDES AND ACTIONS
Love and humble submission to authority and Biblical directives must be part of any actions used in restoring the rebellious person(s). Actions without love is mechanical and love without actions is simply optics.
The more open and vicious an offense is, the more drastic and open will be the discipline. The offender determines how thorough the discipline will be, by choosing the level of offense. The church that follows Biblical revelation is not at fault for the type of discipline it exercises.
This is where carnality and infidelity raises its ugly heads. Either there is fleshly retribution administered or there is sin loving rebellion that will not yield to Divine revelation.
DISCIPLINE IS DIFFICULT ON LEADERS, PARISHIONERS, OFFENDERS AND OUTSIDERS
This does not change the need for Biblical discipline. Since it is difficult, and since it is hard on everyone involved, there are few churches that actually take the steps to administer Biblical discipline. As a result sin goes unchecked and corruption runs freely. When Biblical discipline is exercised there will be backlash and vicious attacks against those who hold faithfully and lovingly to the word of God. In fact, the resistance of unrepentant violators becomes a personal vendetta, seeking to destroy believers, ministries and ultimately the truth and work of God.
SOME BIBLICAL REASONS FOR CHURCH DISCIPLINE
Offenses that require Biblical church discipline include...
Overt and repugnant immoral behavior,
Denial of Biblical doctrine,
Division and discord in the body,
Resistance and rejection of Biblical authority, counsel, correction.
There are many other specifics, but the idea of undermining the integrity of the word of God and the people of God is fundamental to discipline.
THE FORM OF CHURCH DISCIPLINE DEPENDS ON THE RESPONSE OF THE OFFENDER
Various factors determine the kind of discipline handed down, and the response of the offender to the discipline determines the extent of discipline exercised.
A one on one confrontation can be the beginning and ending to a church discipline. But the greater the offense and the more resistant the offender is, then greater discipline is required.
A person who is attacking the beliefs, the integrity, the authority, the ministry of a local church may even be "turned over to the devil."When a believer has become venomous toward the local body (including individuals and congregations) then that person is cut off from fellowship with the church. Based on that person's rejection of Biblical authority, they have removed themselves from fellowship and saving grace. It is the hope and prayer of the believers in that local church that the offender will repent and return to faith and fellowship.
Even when the offender continues in his/her own carnal way, the believer still loves and treats the offender with Christian love, but they must not give the impression that the offender's sins are being overlooked or ignored.
To neglect Biblical church discipline is to help the offender on his way to hell and it is to help undermine the testimony, life and ministry of those who are the targets of slander and other types of attacks.
