CHURCH DISCIPLINE

 “Discipline” Defined

            The dictionary defines discipline as, “A branch of knowledge or learning; training that develops self-control, character or orderliness and efficiency, strict control to enforce obedience.”

 

The Lord’s Discipline

 The writer of Hebrews tells us that all of us will undergo the Lord’s discipline.

 

Endure hardship as discipline; God is treating you as sons. For what son is not disciplined by his father? If you are not disciplined (and everyone undergoes discipline), then you are illegitimate children and not true sons. Moreover, we have all had human fathers who disciplined us and we respected them for it. How much more should we submit to the Father of our spirits and live! Our fathers disciplined us for a little while as they thought best; but God disciplines us for our good, that we may share in his holiness. No discipline seems pleasant at the time, but painful. Later on, however, it produces a harvest of righteousness and peace for those who have been trained by it. (Heb 12:7-11 NIV)

 

            The real question is will we allow the Holy Spirit to teach us what we need to know or will we be like the man in Proverbs 12:1?

 

            “Whoever loves discipline loves knowledge,

            but he who hates correction is stupid.” (NIV)

 

            I think the discipline spoken of in Hebrews is primarily of a personal or private nature orchestrated by the Holy Spirit. But there are times when the governing members of the church must get involved in discipline.

 

Church Discipline Defined

            So let’s move on from personal discipline to an analysis of church discipline. I would define church discipline as, “corrective action taken by the church against a sinful member for the purpose of bringing him or her into line with scriptural patterns of behavior.”

            Jesus, in His teaching on how to deal with sin in the church, said of a brother who refused to listen to other Christians who confronted him, “If he refuses to listen to them, tell it to the church; and if he refuses to listen even to the church, treat him as you would a pagan or a tax collector.” (Mat 18:17 NIV) So Jesus Himself set out the general principle of the church as a proper instrument for dealing with sin.

            Church discipline is a very powerful tool given to the church by our Lord. Unfortunately I think it is being neglected in most of our churches today to the great detriment of all those involved.

 

Authority to Discipline

            Theologian J. C. Lambert, speaking of the church’s authority to discipline, wrote, “She laid down laws for her own members because He had conferred upon her authority to bind and lose. But in every exercise of her authority she relied upon Him from whom she derived it. She believed that Christ was with her alway[s], even unto the end of the world (Mt 28 20), and that the power with which she was endued was power from on high (Lk 24 49).” 

 

Responsibility to Discipline

            Since it is obvious from Matthew 18:17 that the Lord gave disciplining authority to the church, the responsibility to discipline is not an option, it is required. Think of it this way. When a policeman sees a crime being committed he is required to take necessary action to stop the crime. It’s his responsibility. He must act. He has no choice in the matter because that’s his job. Likewise, those who have governing authority in a local church have a responsibility before God the same way the policeman does before his superiors. It’s their responsibility. They must take action. Frankly, if a church member doesn’t want to take on this responsibility, then he or she shouldn’t be in church leadership.

            One of the most important reasons why this disciplining is so crucial is that those charged with overseeing a church become the spiritual covering for those under their charge against the evil spirit world. To be lax in this responsibility is to open individual sheep as well as the whole church to unnecessary and harmful attacks from the enemy. When elders make every effort to have those under their protective covering live up to biblical standards of conduct, it’s really for the protection of all the members of the church, not just the one in sin.

Objective of Church Discipline

            Unfortunately today when someone mentions church discipline, most who hear the term immediately associate church discipline with, “kicking someone out of the church”! According to Scripture that is the least desired goal. In fact, Paul makes it clear that the desired goal is the very opposite.

           Brothers, if someone is caught in a sin, you who are spiritual should restore him gently. But watch yourself, or you also may be tempted. (Gal. 6:1 NIV, emphasis added.)

 So restoration to Christian fellowship is God’s primary goal in the use of church discipline.