There's Only One Way to Discipline, God's Way!
Rev. John R. Greene
We have discussed judging for two weeks, righteous judgment. God honors the church that obeys His Word! This will restore the respect and admiration for God, and the Word He inspired by His Spirit. The only person that rejects God's Word and His will is the scorner. So if you don't want to put yourself in the seat of the scorner, accept His Word humbly, knowing that God will do the miraculous in your life should you permit Him.
For centuries, we have done everything BUT God's method in church discipline. The epilogue for the last few centuries has been, "Since no one is doing it, then we won't discipline according to His Word either!" How did the woman feel when walking down a Boston alley one night not knowing where she was because she was lost (when lights were turned on, and windows opened to witness her getting raped eight times), and not one person wanted to get involved? The police could not find one person that saw it happen, but the woman who lived to tell saw dozens of people in windows before she blacked out.
When your brother falls into sin, you must first go to your prayer closet to be certain that it wasn't your feelings that were hurt, but sin actually took place. Then once your heart is right with God and you are "spiritual" and consider yourself, go to your brother in private!!! This directive is found in Gal 6:1 and Mt 18:15.
Too many run around with vile spirits of division and revenge gossiping to anyone. This is sin! God's way is clearly one of mending your brother's heart with God and ultimately with you. If we would preach against gossip and slander, maybe the church might have more power, but that's another message.
If your brother repents, then you have done God's will. Should your brother reject your love, then take a witness or two with you to establish the truth of the situation. If he repents, then you have won your brother, but if not take it to the church. This is found in Mt 18:16, 17.
Remember that the Bible says that a person that claims to be Christian and acts ungodly rejecting God's Word is an un-believer, a heretic, and a false teacher (their actions teach whether they have the title or not)! Reject that person, have no fellowship, don't even wish them God's speed! You must not associate with the likes of them!!
"REBUKE" your brother and he will grow wise learning from his sin and realizing the love of God through your personal stand on God's Word. This is the love that covers a multitude of sins. If your brother sins seven times and you rebuke him seven times and he repents, FORGIVE him. This is the last part of church discipline.
When a brother repents, don't you go sin by rejecting a brother who has repented! Yes, I know that it is hard, but this is God's business, so His power is available, the grace of God! Love him.
On the other hand, stealing from your brother, repenting, then stealing from your brother, then repenting, and the cycle continuing is not repentance. If your brother repents, means again to change your mind and stop stealing. Should you continue to steal, then you haven't repented.
Bless God, genuine repentance brings life to the person, the local church, and the church as a whole. Let's put life back into the church. Amen! See you next week with a "traditional" resurrection message!!
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