JUN 17

Matthew 18:15-17
Memorise Matthew 18:15
“…rebuke them sharply, that they may be sound in the faith”

MUST WE ENFORCE CHURCH DISCIPLINE?

“God is a loving God who has forgiven us of all our sins; therefore we should also forgive any brethren who has sinned”. This is an argument commonly raised by some Christians. But is this the right attitude to have? Is this how the doctrine of God’s forgiveness should be applied?

Today’s reading gives us the biblical method to deal with any brethren who has sinned. It is important to note from the outset that it is sin, i.e. a transgression of God’s law, that we are concerned with here, and not any petty personal quarrels.

The step-by-step guide is provided very clearly and logically: the first step is to point out the fault privately to the brother who has sinned (Matthew 18:15). If he stubbornly refuses to accept it, we are to confront him with 1 or 2 witnesses (Matthew 18:16). If he still refuses, then we are to escalate it to the church level (Matthew 18:17a). There are several things we can learn from this. First, the purpose of church discipline is always with a view for repentance. We point out the sins in our brother not for the sake of putting him down or with a holier-than-thou attitude, but only so that our brother may repent of his sin and turn back to the Lord – in that sense, we would have “gained thy brother” (v. 15). Second, we see that there must be accountability. Jesus taught there “in the mouth of two or three witnesses every word may be established”. By having witnesses around when a brother is confronted with his sin, this would ensure that things are done in the proper manner. Third, discipline is to be carried out at the church level. When it reaches the point that the brother continues to deny his sin or to refuse to repent, the leaders of the church must be involved. We should not take matters into our own hands, for the leaders have been placed over the congregation by God and they are in the best position to deal with such problems. Neither should we let it slide and simply sweep it under the carpet, for we would be doing more harm than good to the person! Sin that is not dealt with and nipped in the bud will only continue to grow and fester, leading to even greater and more serious sins.

Dear teen, may you thus understand the importance of church discipline, and be willing to submit to the leadership of the church in such matters.

Thought: Discipline is a necessary part of church life.
Prayer: Lord, teach me the right perspective on church discipline.