12/28/2006

Excommunication

If anyone does not obey what we say in this letter, take note of that person, and have nothing to do with him, that he may be ashamed. Do not regard him as an enemy, but warn him as a brother. - 2Th 3:14-15

Oh the depth of this command: "Have nothing to do with him, that he may be ashamed." Maybe this command wouldn't be so difficult and controversial if we always remembered to include the second verse. Church discipline is an unfortunate necessity. As long as we have humans in our churches, we will continue to have sin that needs to be dealt with. Yes, the penalty of that sin was already taken care of by Christ on the cross. Therefore, the church discipline cannot be seen as punishment, rather an encouragement of sorts. The real goal of removing the disobedient brother from fellowship is to encourage him to obey the Lord, to shock him into realizing the depth of his disobedience, and to act as a means to bring about the sanctification God is working in his life. It must always be done with (tough) love--not as an enemy--but as a brother.

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