Wednesday, July 5
Church discipline
Scripture: 1 Corinthians 5
Observation
Paul wrote to correct some problems in the church at Corinth (churches have problems because they have people). This chapter gives directions on church discipline, what to do when a church member has crossed the line. In this particular case, it was a man having sex with his stepmother, a form of immorality so gross that not even unbelievers tolerated it. They were to excommunicate the man, cut off all association. Notice the following.
First, the purpose for the man was restoration, not just punishment. “So that his spirit may be saved” v. 5.
Second, the purpose for the church was protection, to keep the evil from spreading. Paul used the illustration of yeast—just a little affects the whole batch of dough. In the same way, allowing evil in the church is an invitation for it to spread “to the whole batch of dough.”
Third, sexual immorality wasn’t the only evil addressed. Paul lists six things (not exclusive) that call for discipline: sexual immorality, greed, idolatry, verbal abuse, drunkenness, swindling.
Fourth, judgment was internal, not external. These standards were applied to church members, not outsiders who were not expected to behave like Christians. We live by a different standard than the world.
Application
First, church discipline is a tricky process. In Paul’s day, there was one church in Corinth. If you were expelled, there was no other place to go. It’s what made the expulsion so effective. The fellowship was so strong that to be excluded was a powerful deterrent to sin. In our day, there are many churches in our town, and if you’re excluded from one, you can easily find another to take you in. This renders this form of discipline ineffective, and forces us to consider other ways to restore erring members. However we do it, we must be committed to restoring erring members and protecting the well-being and health of the whole church. Hard stuff…
Second, judgment always starts with me, so it’s important that I look over the list Paul gave and search my own heart first. Take the log out of my eye…
Prayer: Lord, I love You. You know I’ve wrestled with this subject over the years and don’t have any neat answers. But I am committed to the restoration of erring believers, the health of the whole church, and letting judgement start with me. Help us!
More: 1 Chronicles 12-13, Psalm 78, John 5