The Lord has never been, nor will He ever be, indifferent toward sin in His church. From Genesis to Revelation, we see both His judgment against sin and His mercy toward repentant sinners.
The prophet declared, “The soul who sins shall die” (Ezekiel 18:20). Paul tells us that “the wages of sin is death” (Romans 6:23). This is why Christ, though sinless, died as our substitute and propitiation. God’s holiness is so serious that He did not spare His own Son when He bore our sins on the cross. How then can we expect the Lord to overlook sin or allow us to tolerate it within the church?
Why Practice Church Discipline Today?
There are many biblical reasons to practice church discipline. Let us consider three of the most important.
First, the Lord Jesus Christ Himself gave us clear instructions in Matthew 18:15-20. He laid out His authoritative will for dealing with a sinning member. We must obey Him, for He declared with divine authority: “I will build My church, and the gates of Hades shall not prevail against it” (Matthew 16:18). Christ is the Head of the church. It is His church, and therefore His rules.
We sometimes wrongly assume that because God is gracious, He no longer chastens disobedience. This is a dangerous error that leads to the abuse of grace. Scripture reminds us: “For whom the Lord loves He chastens, and scourges every son whom He receives” (Hebrews 12:6).
Second, we practice church discipline to maintain the purity and identity of the church. Peter writes:
“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.” (1 Peter 2:9)
The church has been called out of darkness to be a holy people. Unaddressed sin defiles the body, just as “a little leaven leavens the whole lump.” Tolerating habitual sin profanes the church, weakens it, and offends Christ.
Third, we practice discipline because of the value of the soul. In the same chapter of Matthew where the Lord teaches on discipline, He tells the parable of the lost sheep (Matthew 18:10-14). Heaven rejoices over one sinner who repents. God places infinite value on souls for whom His Son died. If we are indifferent to a brother or sister’s sin, we show that we do not truly care for their spiritual well-being.
Church Discipline Is Godly
Louis Berkhof rightly said: “Churches that are lax 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… must be diligent and conscientious in the exercise of Christian discipline.”
J.C. Ryle also warned: “If you and sin are still friends, you and God are not yet reconciled.”
As regenerated Christians, the more we reverence what is holy, love purity, care for our brethren, and seek to honor Christ in His church, the more naturally we will practice biblical discipline.
Finally, dear friends, remember that the church was never man’s idea, but God’s sovereign redemptive work for His own glory, foreordained before the foundation of the world. She is the bride of Christ, purchased by His precious blood. Holiness and practical purity are essential to her life. Let us not be guilty of tolerating sin in the church, lest the Lord come and fight against us with the sword of His mouth (Revelation 2:14-16).
