Paul said, “Do all things without grumbling or disputing; so that you will prove yourselves to be blameless and innocent, children of God above reproach in the midst of a crooked and perverse generation, among whom you appear as lights in the world” (Philippians 2:14-15). This is similar to what Jesus taught when He was on earth. He said, “You are the light of the world” (Matthew 5:16). God expects His people to influence the wicked world by their lives and good works. Those who are not God’s spiritual children need to hear the saving gospel message, but they also need to see the change it brings in the lives of Christians. Watching Christians may be their first introduction the Christ and the power of the gospel.
There is a difference between one living a sinful life and one committing a sin. We all sin, but we should not continue in that sin. John explained about sin in the life of a Christian. He wrote, “If we say that we have no sin, we are deceiving ourselves and the truth is not in us. If we confess our sins, He is faithful and righteous to forgive us our sins and to cleanse us from all unrighteousness” (I John 1:8-9). If a member of the church lives a sinful life, he or she brings shame and reproach on the church and on Christ. That is the exact opposite of what Paul, writing by the guidance of the Holy Spirit, said in the text quoted above.
Correcting a Sinful Member
What does God expect the church to do when her members do not live Christian lives? “Brethren, even if anyone is caught in any trespass, you who are spiritual, restore such a one in a spirit of gentleness; each one looking to yourself, so that you too will not be tempted” (Galatians 6:1). The word “restore” is the same word that would be used when a broken arm is put back into place. An unfaithful Christian is out of place and needs to be put back into a faithful relationship with God because if that does not happen, that person’s soul is in danger of being eternally separated from God. Also, that person is bringing shame and reproach upon Christ, the church, and all faithful Christians.
Jesus explained how that person should be restored. “If your brother sins, go and show him his fault in private; if he listens to you, you have won your brother. But if he does not listen to you, take one or two more with you, so that by the mouth of two or three witnesses every fact may be confirmed. If he refuses to listen to them, tell it to the church; and if he refuses to listen even to the church, let him be to you as a Gentile and a tax collector” (Matthew 18:15-17). Efforts should be made by individual Christians to get that individual to repent and be restored to faithfulness.
Church Discipline
If the sinning brother or sister does not repent though the efforts of the individuals, then it must be taken before the church as a body of Christians where he or she is a member. All members who have a relationship with the sinning member should reach out to the sinner to see if he or she can be restored to a faithful life. Several books in the New Testament, written to churches speak about church discipline.
The church in Corinth had a member who was living a sinful life and Paul rebuked the church for not discipling him. In fact, the church boasted about their willingness to accept this sinful brother. Paul said, “You have become arrogant and have not mourned instead, so that the one who had done this deed would be removed from your midst” (I Corinthians 5:2). He went on to explain what the church was to do. “In the name of the Lord Jesus, when you are assembled, and I with you in spirit, with the power of our Lord Jesus, …deliver such a one to Satan for the destruction of his flesh, so that his spirit may be saved in the day of the Lord Jesus” (I Corinthians 5:4-5).
The church is to assemble for the purpose of publicly denouncing this sinful brother. “The destruction of the flesh” doesn’t mean that the church does something to him (or her) physically. The purpose is to publicly reject the person from being recognized as a faithful member, and symbolically, delivering that person over to Satan. “Destruction of the flesh” is a phrase in hope that the person’s sinful actions (of the flesh) will be destroyed, and he or she will return to living a faithful life.
When that action is taken all members of the church are to withdraw fellowship from him or her. That is they will have nothing to do with him or her in the hope that the sinful brother or sister will miss that fellowship and return to faithful. In that context Paul commanded, “I wrote to you not to associate with any so-called brother if he is an immoral person, or covetous, or an idolater; or a reviler, or a drunkard, or a swindler – not even to eat with such a one” (I Corinthians 5:11). One is not to eat a social meal with that person.
The Purpose of Church Discipline
The church in Thessalonica also had sinful members and Paul instructed the church to take action against them. “Now we command you, brethren in the name of our Lord Jesus Christ, that you keep away from every brother who leads an unruly life and not according to the tradition which you received from us” (2 Thessalonians 3:6). Later in that chapter Paul explains the purpose of discipline. “If anyone does not obey our instruction in this letter, take special note of that person and do not associate with him, so that he will be put to shame. Yet do not regard him as an enemy, but admonish him as a brother” (vs 14-15). The purpose of not associating with him or her is hopefully, he or she will miss that fellowship and return to faithfulness. The sinful person is not to be treated as an enemy, but as a brother who needs to be won back to God. (There are several other passages which could be discussed on this subject. See Romans 16:17-18; Titus 3:10-11).
Conclusion
In every case where the Bible speaks of church discipline, it is taken against Christians who are still trying to be part of the church. Nowhere does the Bible demand the church to withdraw from those who withdraw from the congregation. John discussed those kinds of sinful Christians. He said, “They went out from us, but they were not really of us; for if they had been of us, they would have remained with us; but they went out, so that it would be shown that they all are not of us” (I John 2:19).
When individuals or the church as a whole, restores a sinful person, not doubt the angels in heaven rejoice (Luke 15:7, 10). There is rejoicing because sins have been forgiven. James reminds us of this great truth. “My brethren, if any among you strays from the truth and one turns him back let him know that he who turns a sinner from the error of his way will save his soul from death and will cover a multitude of sins” (James 5:19-20).
First, may all Christians live faithful Christian lives! Second, may all faithful Christians reach out to those who are unfaithful Christians. May individual Christians and the church, as a whole, be “children of God above reproach in the midst of a crooked and perverse generation, among whom you appear as lights in the world” (Philippians 2:15).
Wayne Burger