The New Testament is rather clear about the importance of discipline among God’s people. Consider the following passages:
(Titus 3:10-11), “Reject a divisive man after the first and second admonition, knowing that such a person is warped and sinning, being self-condemned.”
(Romans 16:17), “Now I urge you, brethren, note those who cause divisions and offenses, contrary to the doctrine which you learned, and avoid them.”
(Matthew 18:15-17), “Moreover if your brother sins against you, go and tell him his fault between you and him alone. If he hears you, you have gained your brother. But if he will not hear, take with you one or two more, that ‘by the mouth of two or three witnesses every word may be established.’ And if he refuses to hear them, tell it to the church. But if he refuses even to hear the church, let him be to you like a heathen and a tax collector.”
(2 John 1:9-11), “Whoever transgresses and does not abide in the doctrine of Christ does not have God. He who abides in the doctrine of Christ has both the Father and the Son. If anyone comes to you and does not bring this doctrine, do not receive him into your house nor greet him; for he who greets him shares in his evil deeds.”
(1 Corinthians 5:11), “But now I have written to you not to keep company with anyone named a brother, who is sexually immoral, or covetous, or an idolater, or a reviler, or a drunkard, or an extortioner — not even to eat with such a person.”
(2 Thessalonians 3:14-15), “And if anyone does not obey our word in this epistle, note that person and do not keep company with him, that he may be ashamed. Yet do not count him as an enemy, but admonish him as a brother.”
(Revelation 2:14-15), “But I have a few things against you, because you have there those who hold the doctrine of Balaam, who taught Balak to put a stumbling block before the children of Israel, to eat things sacrificed to idols, and to commit sexual immorality. Thus you also have those who hold the doctrine of the Nicolaitans, which thing I hate.”
These passages clearly show that there are times when those among us are unworthy of fellowship, and need to be removed from our number. There are several reasons for this need. One is to strive to bring the sinner to repentance (1 Corinthians 5:5). Another is to maintain purity among God’s people (1 Corinthians 5:6).
So, why do churches refuse to do what God has clearly revealed must be done? There are a couple of possibilities. It may be that the congregation is ignorant of its responsibility in the matter. Possibly there is a lack of conviction and strength to do what has to be done. It may be members are simply willful—unwilling to do what God commands! That is the reason the Corinthians were guilty of fellowshipping a rebellious man. Paul had instructed them in a previous letter to “not keep company” with such a man (1 Corinthians 5:9). But, they did not follow his instructions. He now told them, “And you are puffed up, and have not rather mourned, that he who has done this deed might be taken away from among you” (1 Corinthians 5:2).
Whatever the reason for hesitation, God’s commands are to be obeyed. We do not have the right to disregard them because they seem draconian to us, or because we think we know better. And, we need to see that such discipline is not unloving to the rebellious sinner. It is an act of love with the intent to save a soul.
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