The Issue of Church Discipline

Matt. 18:15-20: Church Discipline

No one likes to talk about it. Even worse, no one wants to conduct it...

The first century church felt it was very important to the integrity of the first church though. But what is it that is different than the way the world acts today? The difference is "love."

The first part of this passage is with the brother who goes to his brother with his sin (vs. 15) in private. Why is this so important? In the "Training of the Twelve," A. B. Bruce says this, "It makes the confession as easy to him as possible by sparing him the shame of exposure... It is also a method which cannot be worked out without the purest and holiest motive on the part of the redress."

So there is a twofold purpose:

1. That the one under sin can be relieved to know that if he makes proper and timely confession, his sins will not come to light of the whole church. The act of exposing it to the church might be a little premature up front, and in the case of a private sin which might cause the brother/ sister further embarrassment of their sin. Are we in the business of making sure that they experience personal embarrassment or is this God's business? How would you like to be treated? We must ask ourselves the question, "Does this bring glory to self or God?"

2. That the one who confronts his brother/ sister might "put a bridle on the passion of resentment, by compelling the offended one to go through a patient course of dealing with his brother before he arrive at the sad issue at which anger jumps at once, viz. total estrangement." A. B. Bruce (pg. 210)

You see, each of us must ask the question whether our motive with the offender brings us immediately where we are willing to excommunicate that person completely from our church and even our own life. It must bring forth the horror of possibly treating the person as if we never knew them or as an outcast of society; remember, once they're gone, they're gone!

Use the Love of Christ Rule: This is characteristic of the loving spirit of Jesus Christ!

I fear today, we have become the church universal that has gotten so used to being mad at someone and giving them them the third degree that we rule out the law of love and forgiveness, but rather act in retribution as the world does. Then we think we have the right to talk about their sins with others, which violates the first step of discipline. From that point it becomes a contest to see who can win...

How does your Rule of Law line up with Kingdom thinking? I encourage you to do some soul searching today.

For more study, conduct a Word Study on the word "Grace." Maybe one day we will see you here at Grace Community Church!