An act of love?
Who are we to judge? Isn’t love the prevailing rule of the day? It may surprise some that, in the Bible, church discipline was commanded by Christ (Mt. 18:15-18), demonstrated by apostolic practice (1 Tim. 1:20), and revealed as an inspired precept in God’s Word (1 Cor. 5:11).
Levels of discipline
Regarding church discipline, one size does not fit all. Church discipline may be as simple as “warn them that are unruly” (1 Thes. 5:14). For those causing division, Paul outlined a two-fold process: “reject a divisive man after a first and second warning” (Titus 3:10, NASB). The Lord outlined a three-step process in dealing with saints that trespass against other believers. First, confront the offender privately (Mt. 18:15). Second, if more intervention is needed, bring two or three witnesses (Mt. 18:16). Finally, if a resolution is still unsuccessful, tell it to the church (Mt. 18:17). And yes, sometimes the saints are instructed to avoid a disobedient believer: “if any obey not…have no company” (2 Thes. 3:14); or “mark them who cause division…and avoid them” (Rom. 16:17). 1 Corinthians 5:11-13 states bluntly, “put away from yourselves that wicked person.”
Attitude in church discipline
When it comes to judging sin in the church, there is a specific manner in which it is to be conducted. First, we read in James 2:1, “Have not faith with respect to persons.” There is no favoritism when it comes to judging sin because the God we serve is no respecter of persons (Ac. 10:34). Second, discipline in the church should be done in the spirit of meekness, “considering thyself lest thou also be tempted” (Gal. 6:1). Third, the Christian brother should be treated as just that: a brother. “Do not regard him as an enemy, but admonish him as a brother” (2 Thes. 3:15). Discipline is not an arrogant, unkind, spiritual beating of a brother or sister, or disgust with them personally. It entails sincere mourning over sin. It must be done in love. Lastly, with all discipline, we should be ready to forgive when there is genuine repentance (2 Cor. 2:6-7).
The object of church discipline
The purpose of discipline is that the offender may be ashamed of his sin (2 Thes. 3:14), learn (1 Tim. 1:20), and be restored to fellowship (Gal. 6:1; Mt. 18:15). Furthermore, it serves to warn others (1 Tim. 5:20) and prevent a variety of moral and doctrinal problems. Sometimes discipline may be handled privately, but public sin must be dealt with publicly, as Paul admonished the Corinthian church in 1 Corinthians 5. The sinful lifestyle of some must not be allowed to spread among believers; the local church’s silence regarding sin in its midst will only lead to ruin.
It is not easy
The Corinthians wanted to gloss over blatant sin: “ye are puffed up, and have not rather mourned, that he that hath done this deed might be taken away from among you” (1 Cor. 5:2). No believer or group of elders enjoys the mourning process in correcting sin in the life of another believer. It is heart-wrenching. It may also be grievous and embarrassing to innocent parties and the immediate family. But, as we consider the Lord’s working in our lives, we learn two things: the Lord disciplines those He loves (Heb. 12:6), and He disciplines for our ultimate good (Heb. 12:11). With these two things in mind, we can see that church discipline makes sense and really is an act of love toward those who mean so much to us.