The Lord has never been and will never be indifferent in regard to the practices of sin within the church. We can trace His judgement against sinners or his mercy toward them all the way back to the book of Genesis and all over the scriptures.
The Prophet even told us that the soul who sins shall die(Ezek 18:20). Also Paul states in the book of Romans that the wages of sin is death (Rom 6:23); therefore Christ died as our substitute, though sinless and perfect, to save us from the just condemnation of God, as our propitiation. This demonstrates how Holy and serious God is about sin. For He did not spare His Holy Son when He bore our own sins on the cross. How can we then expect the Lord to be indifferent toward our sins or allow us to condone it within the church?
Why Church discipline
Now with this being said, let us ask this question: why should we practice Church discipline today? There are a great number of biblical answers to that question and many reasons why. Let’s consider three of the most important reasons. The primary reason is that Christ the Lord and savior of the Church gave us clear instructions in Matthew 18:15-20. Where He laid out His authoritative will for His Church in regard to dealing with a sinning member. So we simply must obey Him! For He stated just two chapters earlier with divine authority: ‘’ I will build my church and the gates of Hades shall not prevail against it’’ (Matt 16:18). He built His church of which he is the supreme head. Christ Jesus is the only one ever capable of saying: “ My church, My rules”!
We have a tendency to believe that since God is all about grace, He no longer brings chastisement upon those who disobeyed. This brethren is a very erroneous belief which leads to a lifestyle that abuses God’s grace. Remember: “the one whom the Lord loves He chastens, and scourges every son whom He receives (Heb 12:6)”.
The second important reason to practice Church discipline in the church today is to maintain the purity and identity of the church. Peter wrote: “But you are a chosen generation, a royal priesthood, a holy nation, His own special people, that you may proclaim the praises of Him who called you out of darkness into His marvelous light; who once were not a people but are now the people of God, who had not obtained mercy but now have obtained mercy” ( 1 pet 2:9). In these verses we see that the church is called out of darkness to light as a holy nation. Sins defile the body just as a little leaven leavens the whole lump of dough. Cultivating sinful habits profane the institution of the church, make it vulnerable and as a result is an offense to Christ.
The third reason why we must practice biblical discipline in the Church is for the value of the soul.
In the same 18th chapter of Matthew right before the principle of church discipline, the Lord Jesus Christ told us the parable of the sheep: What man of you, having a hundred sheep, if he loses one of them, does not leave the ninety-nine in the wilderness, and go after the one which is lost until he finds it? And when he has found it, he lays it on his shoulders, rejoicing. And when he comes home, he calls together his friends and neighbors, saying to them, ‘Rejoice with me, for I have found my sheep which was lost!’ I say to you that likewise there will be more joy in heaven over one sinner who repents than over ninety-nine just persons who need no repentance (Luke 18:3-7; Matt 18:10-14).
It is marvelous to know that Heaven rejoices over one sinner’s repentance. That is because God values our souls for whom His Son died as a pleasing sacrifice. Therefore I reiterate, He cannot be indifferent to our sins. If we are indifferent to our brothers’ and sisters’ sins, that’s because we do not care about their spiritual well being and do not know the value of a soul for whom Christ died. This careless attitude itself is ungodly.
Church discipline is Godly
Louis Berkhof said: “Churches that are laxed in discipline are bound to discover sooner or later within their circle an eclipse of the light of the truth and an abuse of that which is holy. Hence a church that would remain true to her ideal in the measure in which this is possible on earth, must be diligent and conscientious in the exercise of Christian discipline.The word of God insist on proper discipline in the Church of Christ” (Matt 18:15-17; 1 cor 5:1-5; Rev 2:14-15, 21). It is J.C Ryle who said that “ if you and sin are still friends, you and God are not yet reconciled”. So, as regenerated Christians, the more we have reverence for that which is holy, love for purity, care for our fellow brothers, and ultimately seeking to honor Christ within His church: we will as a result practice biblical discipline.
Finally dear friends, Remember that the church was never man’s initiative, but God’s sovereign redemptive work for his own glory foreordained before the foundation of the world. The bride of Christ purchased by His precious blood in due time. So, holiness and practical purity is crucial to her life. Let us not be the ones guilty of condoning sin within the church. Or else He will come with a curse and fight against us with the sword of His mouth( Rev 2:14-16).
