Regarding the discipline that a parent ought to administer to a child, the word of the Lord says, “He that spareth his rod hateth his son; but he that loveth him chasteneth him betimes” (Pro. 13:24). The worst thing a parent can do for an unruly child is to let him go unrestrained. True love of a parent is demonstrated in the correction of a rebellious child.
This principle applies in the church’s discipline (or lack of) toward disorderly members. If we love them we will discipline them. Paul told the Thessalonians, “Now we command you, brethren, in the name of our Lord Jesus Christ, that ye withdraw yourselves from every brother that walketh disorderly, and not after the tradition which he received of us” (2 Thes. 3:6). To the Corinthians he noted that this is church action that should be taken “when ye are gathered together” (1 Cor. 5:4).
Brethren, when we fail to discipline the unruly of the church we are manifesting a lack of love. It is as though we are saying, “we love you THIS much” and the “this” is a centimeter. Fact is, to forgo withdrawing from the disorderly is evidence of hatred – not love.
May we grow in our love one for another!
– by David McPherson