Tag: Discipline

Devotionals

Mode of Church Discipline               

Loring Schultz

Read: Matthew 18:15-20 NIV – Dealing With Sin in the Church – “If – Bible Gateway

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We church people get squeamish on the subject of church discipline and perhaps we should. It is a very delicate but necessary function of the church. Care and accountability are never more important than in church discipline. It is essential to the life of the church. Jesus knew that His church would face brothers and sisters in Christ and church elders sinning against each other. He gave us a simple three step method on how to handle it in Mathew’s gospel.

Jesus says first of all, “If your brother or sister sins, go and point out their fault, just between the two of you. If they listen to you, you have won them over.” (Mt.18:15 niv) Jesus says to approach them, one on one, in the love of God to show them their sin and the need for repentance. Restoration of the sinning believer with God and you is the goal. We are not loving God or our church family if we are blinded or ignorant of sin around us. As a church family we are to be accountable to one another.

Jesus’s instruction for step two is as follows, “But if they will not listen, take one or two others along, so that ‘every matter may be established by the testimony of two or three witnesses.’” (Mt.18:16 niv) Again no broadcasting to others but select one or two other believers to confirm the charge and encourage repentance. Paul gave this same instruction to Timothy concerning elders in the church. “Do not entertain an accusation against an elder unless it is brought by two or three witnesses.” (1Tim.5:19 niv) This is a very important step for everyone, but extremely important for those who serve as elders.

 Jesus then gives us step three in Matthew’s gospel, “If they still refuse to listen, tell it to the church; and if they refuse to listen even to the church, treat them as you would a pagan or a tax collector.” (Mt.18:17 niv) Our Lord is very concerned about His church. Believers are to be separate from the world and any sin found in the church, especially among the leadership and not dealt with will tarnish the credibility of the gospel message, Paul also gives Timothy Jesus’ third step by saying, “ But those elders who are sinning you are to reprove before everyone, so that the others may take warning.” (1Tim.5:20 niv)

Church discipline is extremely difficult to deal with but must be dealt with to avoid putting shame on the name of Christ. The main point of church discipline is the restoration of the believer. It is a loving service of the church that pleases God when sin is removed and a family member restored.

Devotionals

The Pathway to Life

Loring Schultz

“People who accept discipline are on the pathway to life, but those who ignore correction will go astray.” Proverbs 10:17 NLT

Photo by Vladislav Babienko on Unsplash

So far this week our devotions have been taken from the wisdom of King Solomon in the book of Proverbs. The sayings of Solomon provide insight into the simple everyday things in life through the wisdom God instilled in him. Adhering to them when we come across his words will save us a lot of trouble. In fact, we may say his entire wisdom collection would be the pathway to life, and we would be correct. However, I would like to focus on one verse in particular today, Proverbs 10:17, “People who accept discipline are on the pathway to life, but those who ignore correction will go astray.” (nlt)

Solomon is instructing us on the importance of discipline. In this verse he is not referring to the correction or discipline of children as in, “Train up a child in the way he should go; even when he is old he will not depart from it.” (Pr.22:6 esv) Although their discipline is important, Solomon here has everyone in mind, young and old. We are never too old or too young to learn when reprimanded. Most of us have heard the saying, ‘learn from your mistakes.’ Those who do are better off for it. The same is true when rebuked by God for going after the things of this world and not His righteousness. Some of us when confronted, even though we know we are guilty, refuse to accept it and continue to go our own way. Solomon says ignoring correction will continually lead us down a road away from God and all that is right.

The pathway to life is found in the Bible, God’s Word. The pithy sayings from Solomon is a good place to start viewing life from the perspective of the wisest men who ever lived. One of the many things he said was, ‘People who accept discipline are on the pathway to life.’ Let’s take him up on that, I’m sure he’s right.

Devotionals

Understanding Biblical Rebuke: A Path to Growth

Loring Schultz

“Let the godly strike me! It will be a kindness! If they correct me, it is soothing medicine. Don’t let me refuse it.” Psalm 141:5a NLT

“Wounds from a sincere friend are better than many kisses from an enemy.” Proverbs 27:6 NLT

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I don’t believe any of us like it when we are called out for a particular sin or behaving in a displeasing manner, especially from a friend. Perhaps worse yet be it from an elder in your church or the pastor. We may come up with many excuses of which none are valid. Criticism of church leadership sometimes follows in the familiar rhetoric of ‘who are they to judge.’ Well, they are to judge with righteous judgment the flock Jesus, the great shepherd, has given them.

Peter’s words to pastors are this, “Care for the flock that God has entrusted to you. Watch over it willingly, not grudgingly—not for what you will get out of it, but because you are eager to serve God.” (1Pt.5:2 nlt) Paul instructs the young pastor, Timothy, “Preach the word of God. Be prepared, whether the time is favorable or not. Patiently correct, rebuke, and encourage your people with good teaching.” (2Tim.4:2 nlt) Good teaching is not only spoken from the pulpit or the classroom, but through godly rebuke and discipline for correction to one who has sinned. It may hurt, but it is a comforting blow. The psalmist describes it by saying, “Let the godly strike me! It will be a kindness! If they correct me, it is soothing medicine. Don’t let me refuse it.” (Ps.141:5a nlt)

Correction through a rebuke is never pleasant but is sometimes necessary. It is a blow, but a godly blow. It is given in kindness for the benefit of the one who receives it. It is for correction and is the medicine that is needed. If we are smart, we won’t refuse it. And if it happens to come from a friend, a true friend, remember, “Wounds from a sincere friend are better than many kisses from an enemy.” (Pr.27:6 nlt) They have your best interest at heart.

Devotionals

The Encouraging Words of Discipline

Loring Schultz

“My child, don’t reject the LORD’s discipline, and don’t be upset when he corrects you.” Proverbs 3:11 NLT

“For the LORD disciplines those he loves, and he punishes each one he accepts as his child.” Hebrews 12:6 NLT

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‘Discipline’ is defined as; 1. a branch of learning, 2. training that develops self-control, efficiency, etc. 3. strict control to enforce obedience, 4. Treatment that corrects or punishes. Careful examination of the definition of ‘discipline’ validates these are encouraging words for they seek to train, educate and prompt one to see the error of their ways. Discipline is not pleasant at the time received, just ask any child. But parents and guardians realize the necessity to correct a child of wrongdoing in the early stages of life. They also do it out of sincere love. Adults also face discipline when breaking laws resulting in punishment from those in authority or going against company or workplace policies. A company I worked for in retail management had one store if a manager was transferred there, you knew it was for disciplinary reasons. The goal was always to train, educate and prompt one to see the error of their ways.

Our heavenly Father disciplines His spiritual children as earthly parents discipline their children. He does it out of love for us. Some of the discipline we receive from the Lord is for immediate results for something we have done, but most is for our spiritual growth to live holy lives. It is for our good that the Lord disciplines us, and we should not despise it as if we don’t deserve it. The writer of the book of Hebrews says, “And have you forgotten the encouraging words God spoke to you as his children? He said, ‘My child, don’t make light of the LORD’s discipline, and don’t give up when he corrects you.’” (Heb. 12:5 nlt)

Be careful not to view every bad thing that happens to you it is God disciplining you. We live in a sinful world, and bad things happen all the time. If you are sincere in walking with the Lord, you will be able to discern His loving hand of discipline on you when it occurs. And remember, “No discipline is enjoyable while it is happening—it’s painful! But afterward there will be a peaceful harvest of right living for those who are trained in this way.” (Heb. 12:11 nlt)  

Read: Hebrews 12:5-11 NLT – And have you forgotten the encouraging – Bible Gateway