On Sunday, we looked at a passage (Galatians 6:1-5) that urged the family to look out for one another and bear one another’s burdens. It started with a scenario:
“Brothers, if anyone is caught in any transgression, you who are spiritual should restore him…”
We talked at length about the aim of our involvement with sinning brothers and sisters being restoration—bringing them back into fellowship with the Lord and with their church family.
I noted that this situation is different than the scenario Jesus outlines in His famous (infamous to some!) church discipline passage (Matt. 18:15-20). In Galatians, the sin overcomes a person. It is a sin, not of willful defiance, but of weakness. In Jesus’ example, the sin is more blatant. It is a fault against another believer. The trespass is brought to the attention of the sinner by a number of parties. There is a process for confronting that sin.
Note, though, the aim of Jesus’ discipline process is the same as Paul’s—restoration. Four times in Matthew 18, whether the offending party “listens” is the key to resolution.
Church discipline done right is not dealing with a sinner by “kicking them out of the church.” It is a tearful, purposeful pursuit to rescue them from the danger posed by their sin.
Jesus precedes his instruction on church discipline with a parable about the attention given to a single lost sheep. In the cases of both Galatians 6 and Matthew 18, we pursue because a person is important to us. We pursue because our brother or sister finds themselves in danger. We pursue because we love.
To be fair, churches have made missteps in the discipline they have imposed. There have been instances where it has been harsh, punitive, and brought unnecessary shame. At the same time, often those who have been pursued through the church discipline process characterize people’s interactions with them as unfair or embarrassing even though the process was followed with care and concern.
Just because it is a difficult thing does not mean we back down from Scripture’s command. We prayerfully, carefully, humbly enter in knowing that God’s design will bring about His purposes as we pursue His aim.
When it yields the result of restoration, what a beautiful thing it is!