Church Discipline, part 2

Last week, we wrote about the biblical foundation for church discipline. We also talked about the two forms of discipline that are present in all of our lives.

Today, let’s look at a list of several biblical purposes for the right practice of church discipline.

One, the right practice of church discipline is necessary for preserving the purity of the church. God has called us “to be holy, for he is holy”. The fact that we are human and do sin does not preclude us from striving by grace-driven effort to live holy lives before God—attitudinally and behaviorally. Church discipline, formative & corrective, is a means by which God trains us toward holiness.

Two, the right practice of church discipline is necessary for preserving the fellowship of the church. This is in regard to striving for reconciled relationships among church members. The immediate context of Jesus’ instructions in Matthew 18:15-20 have to do with a relationship that needs to be reconciled. Jesus prayed in his high priestly prayer in John 17 that we would be one; church discipline, practiced rightly, is a means by which we can be an answer to Jesus’ prayer for his followers.

Third, the right practice of church discipline is necessary for restoring someone caught in sin. Galatians 6:1-2 says, “Brethren if a man is overtaken in any trespass, you who are spiritual restore such a one in a spirit of gentleness, considering yourself lest you also be tempted.” To restore means to set back into place or to restore to former good condition. The ultimate goal of all church discipline, especially corrective discipline, is for the offending brother or sister to come to confession & repentance and be restored to fellowship with the church.

Fourth, the right practice of church discipline is necessary for protecting and warning the rest of the church body against the danger of sin. Sin is deceptive and we are all susceptible to being drawn away into its clutches; it is crouching at our door (Genesis 4:7). The right practice of church discipline helps as a deterrent to falling into sin’s grasp.

Fifth, the right practice of church discipline is necessary for guarding the honor of God’s name. We who call ourselves Christians have a great responsibility as we wear the name of Christ. Therefore, to call ourselves Christians and a member of the church and then, to live contrary to all that the name we wear represents demonstrates a blatant disregard for the honor of the name of Jesus.

Well, that’s enough for today. We’ll finish these biblical purposes next week for the right practice of church discipline.