Getting It Right

5.19.2011

2 Thessalonians 3:14-15 14 If anyone does not obey our instruction in this letter, take special note of him. Do not associate with him, in order that he may feel ashamed. 15 Yet do not regard him as an enemy, but warn him as a brother. NIV

Probably one of the biggest rubs and perhaps one of the biggest abuses in the church is discipline. And yet it is so vitally necessary.

Our problem with discipline (i.e. dealing with behavioral issues) is that it hurts, it’s embarrassing, and most of us are guilty of similar things. But without discipline where’s accountability? Each of us is responsible to live godly lives but to whom are we accountable for such living? Accountability requires trust, vulnerability, and honesty. Much of the sting of Church discipline can be removed if we would simply be honest with each other, confess our sins to each other, and call out for help from each other. There is a way to get it right with the least collateral damage.

The rub with discipline is arrogance – Who put YOU in charge!? The abuse is either not taking enough action, or too much action. Discipline calls for honesty and wisdom. But discipline also calls for self-control. And discipline calls for redemptive action to win the errant one(s) back into the safety and sanctity of the fellowship. Anything less than this falls back on rub or abuse.

In my 28 or so years of walking with the Lord I have seen little church discipline and a lot of arrogance. My prayer is that in our respective churches, yours, mine, and those of those we know, we would repent and return to living holy and godly lives; dealing with our discipline issues correctly in the power and wisdom of the Lord. The precedent to that, however, is that we learn to honestly and courageously love one another to the point where we gently point out our faults and quickly get back on track. Discipline can be embarrassing and uncomfortable but neglecting to use it, or using it wrongly, can be deadly and divisive.

Father in Heaven,
You discipline us as sons in order that we may learn to discipline each other as brothers. May we be strong and courageous to discipline in love and redemption through Jesus Christ and by the power and presence of the Holy Spirit – amen.