God disciplines us for various reasons, including;
– To purify:
Malachi 3:3 He will come to judge like one who refines and purifies silver. As a metalworker refines silver and gold, so the Lord’s messenger will purify the priests, so that they will bring to the Lord the right kind of offerings.
-To show His Justice:
Colossians 3:25 And wrongdoers will be repaid for the wrong things they do because God judges everyone by the same standard.
– To save us from condemnation on the day of judgment:
1 Corinthians 11:32 But we are judged and punished by the Lord so that we shall not be condemned together with the world.
– To correct us:
Proverbs 20:30 Beatings and wounds cleanse away evil. and floggings cleanse the innermost being.
– To make us obedient:
Leviticus 26:18 “If even after all this you still do not obey me. I will increase your punishment seven times.
– To instill His fear:
Deuteronomy 21:21 Then all the men of his city must Stone him to death in this way, you will purge out wickedness from among you, and all Israel will hear about it and be afraid.
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Different Disciplinary Measures
Let’s take a look at some of the disciplinary measures that different church groups have come up with over the years. They include Suspension from church meetings and/or duties
- Placing curses
- Scourging/flogging
- Excommunication
- Withholding the salary (If the erring person is a church worker)
- Sitting at the back of the church
- No participation in communion
- Payment of fines
- Making the erring person fast
- In a case of sexual immorality and pregnancy out of wedlock, the marriage gets cancelled
A few of the measures stated are okay. Sadly, many disciplinary actions on this list are extreme and unscriptural. This is primarily because the true purpose of discipline can be achieved without taking any of these extreme measures.
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How Were People Disciplined in the Early Church?
By public rebuke: 1 Timothy 5:20 But those who persist in sin should be rebuked in front of everyone so that the others will stand in fear of sin.
Galatians 2:11-12 But when Caphas came to Antioch. I opposed him to his face because he had clearly done wrong Until certain people came from James, he had been eating with the Gentiles.
But when they arrived, he stopped doing this and separated himself because he was afraid of those who were pro-circumcision.
Public rebuke may also come in the form of shunning the unrepentant person.
1 Corinthians 5:11 But now, I am writing to you that you must not associate with anyone who claims to be a brother or sister but is sexually immoral or greedy, an idolater or slanderer, a drunkard or swindler, do not even eat with such people.
However, there is a protocol to follow before the measure above is executed.
READ ALSO: CHURCH DISCIPLINE (PART 1)
The Lord’s Discipline Protocol
Jesus gave the protocol in Matthew 18:15-17:
Now if your brother sirs, go and show him his fault in private if he listens to you, you have gained your brother. But if he does not listen to you, take one or two more with you. 50 that on the testimony of two or three witnesses every matter may be confirmed. And if he refuses to listen to then. tell it to the church; and if he refuses to listen even to the church, he is to be to you as a Gentile and a tax collector
Here we see the 3 levels of correction and discipline:
The first stage of correction is one on one. After that, the person refuses to repent, take one or two witnesses and go talk to the person. When this second level does not work, then the matter can be brought before the church. If at this third level, the person does not still repent, then they should be shunned publicly and treated as unbelievers.
Sadly, many church groups carry out the third level of discipline without going through the first or second.
Not following the Lord’s protocol has led to much damage in the body of Christ. It is why many people have sworn never to step foot into the house of God again.
How then should discipline be meted out? Find out on next week’s Thinking Thursday!
READ ALSO: CHURCH DISCIPLINE (PART 3)