In my observation, Church discipline has not been observed by the churches nowadays. Maybe some church observed but most of the churches did not take part because of some reasons: they said “God is gracious and we should act too.” As human beings we couldn’t judge them because we are the same in God’s sight, sinner. Some pastors are afraid if a member will leave or go to the other denomination because financial supports will stop. And so on… Also, I observed that church disciplines are observed in the organization as well as institution (Bible School
I like the way W. Grudem presented about the purpose of the church discipline. I agree that restoration and reconciliation be the first purpose why a member is to be disciplined. It also helps the offender keep the sin from spreading to others, and to protect the purity of the church and the honor of Christ as well. I have seen one instance… after the church was being divided; some members left in the church, criticized the leader who violated and the cause of the division of the church. Until now they could not reconcile because the leader would not accept his mistake. Sometimes we people are hard-headed because of the pride that motivate inside of us, instead of showing humbleness to others we tend to cover up our sin before men. Instead of restoration, conflict will arise… instead of keeping the sin from spreading, everybody knows… and the worse is that the integrity of the church will be lost.
In Matthew 18: 15 – 17, Jesus teaches His disciples about the process of restoring an erring believer. There should be a loving personal confrontation. The offended brother is acting in good faith and the right spirit in attempting to work out reconciliation. They would be witnesses to any agreement. If this does not bring peace, the offended brother is to report it to the assembly. The church then is to do everything possible to convince the believer who has sinned to be reconciled or to right the wrong. If the erring one will not respond, that person is to be disciplined by being cut off from the fellowship. Personally, I have a difficulty in this matter. Will I remove him from the fellowship or to bring judgment upon him? Who am I? Even though he committed sin, he is still my brothers or sisters in the Lord. On the other hand, if the offender will transfer to another evangelical church then he becomes effective in that church, what would be my response? Is it he or I has the problem? As I said I have difficulties to deal with it. But I understand that the only reason why we need to restore the offender is because he/she is still our brother or sister in the Lord.
“As Christ’s children we must always forgive in our hearts and not bear grudges. Yet we can forgive someone in our hearts and still seek church discipline for the good of the person who is committing a sin or committed a sin, for the good of the church, for the honor of Christ, and because God’s Word commanded it.”
