2 Tim 2:15 "Study to shew thyself approved unto God, a workman that needeth not to be ashamed, rightly dividing the word of truth."
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NO PRESUMPTUOUS JUDGMENT (II)
WEDNESDAY, MARCH 25
2 Corinthians 13:1
Matthew 18:15-17
“In the mouth of two
or three witnesses …”
NO PRESUMPTUOUS JUDGMENT (II)
The Old Testament principle of “two or three witnesses” is also found in the New Testament procedure of church discipline. This procedure is outlined for us in Matthew 18:15-17:
• Confer with the sinner privately.
• If unsuccessful, take another brother along to confer with him.
• If unsuccessful, bring the matter to the church (i.e. the board of elders).
• If the sinner refuses to repent, but continues to rebel, let the man be counted as a heathen.
This procedure ensures that no frivolous judgment will be made with regard to church discipline. It also gives the sinner every opportunity to repent before he is given harsher discipline.
On the other hand, once the accusation has been found to be true and the sinner to be unrepentant, proper discipline must be carried out. As seen in earlier devotions, the issue of the Corinthian church was her refusal to discipline a man who had committed adultery with his stepmother. The act was known publicly for the sinner had committed it brazenly. If left unchecked, the name of Christ would be brought down. Others in the church might also be emboldened to do the same. Thus, there must be no sweeping under the carpet concerning this issue. How thankful we are that this discipline yielded good fruit for the offender repented of his sin (2 Cor 2). Thus, Paul requested that the man be restored to the fellowship of the church.
Church discipline must always be carried out with great sensitivity and wisdom. It must always be carried out in love and never to destroy. There must be no presumptive judgment.
THOUGHT: Why is discipline important in the church?
PRAYER: Father, help me to be careful in my judgments and decisions.